Assistance to Firefighters Grant application period for FY 2021 opens Nov. 8, NOFO now available

FEMA • November 8, 2021

Application Period Will Close on Friday, Dec. 17, 2021, at 5:00 p.m. EST

A fireman is spraying water on a building with a hose.

The Assistance to Firefighters Grant application period for fiscal year (FY) 2021 will open on Monday, Nov. 8, 2021, at 8:00 a.m. EST and will close on Friday, Dec. 17, 2021, at 5:00 p.m. EST.


The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) has been posted to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA’s) AFG Application Guidance Materials page. Interested applicants can begin reviewing the FY 2021 NOFO now. For questions about the NOFO, contact the Fire Grants Help Desk at firegrants@fema.dhs.gov or via the toll-free number 1-866-274-0960. The Fire Grants Help Desk is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. EST.


Applicants interested in learning how to apply for funding under the AFG program can attend one or more virtual workshops in FEMA’s FY 21 AFG Application Development Workshop series. The Workshops are offered nearly every day, including weekends, during the application period. Workshops currently posted and open for registration run from Nov. 8 through Nov. 24. Each Workshop is one or two hours in length.


Workshops focus on AFG program application areas, and are grouped as follows:

  • The “full workshop,” covers all application types and activities.
  • Narrative development.
  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and other equipment.
  • Vehicle acquisition.
  • Wellness and fitness, modifications to facilities, and training activities.


You can register for any of these workshops via FEMA’s AFG Programs Workshops page.


The first step in applying for an Assistance to Firefighters Grant is to ensure the applying entity is registered and active in the System for Award Management (SAM) with current information. To register, or validate your SAM information, please visit SAM.gov. For assistance with your SAM account, help is available from the Federal Service Desk (FSD) at the FSD’s website or by calling toll-free at (866) 606-8220 between Monday and Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST.


(Source: FEMA)

ETCOG to Host NIMs 300/400 Class Now Required Under HB 33

By ETCOG Public Safety • July 27, 2026
ETCOG is hosting NIMS ICS 300 and ICS 400 training in August at our Kilgore office. These courses are now required under Texas House Bill 33. Please register as soon as possible. The class must have at least 26 participants, or it may be canceled. Please also forward this opportunity to anyone who may need or be interested in attending. Training Details Course: MGT904 / ICS-300 Dates: August 24–26, 2026 Start Time: August 24 at 8:00 a.m. CST Location: ETCOG 3900 Stone Road Kilgore, Texas 75662 Registration Link: https://my.teex.org/TeexPortal/Default.aspx?MO=mCourseCatalog&D=FP&C=MGT904&S=941 Course: MGT905 / ICS-400 Dates: August 26–27, 2026 Start Time: August 26 at 1:00 p.m. CST Location: ETCOG 3900 Stone Road Kilgore, Texas 75662 Registration Link: https://my.teex.org/TeexPortal/Default.aspx?MO=mCourseCatalog&D=FP&C=MGT905&S=732 Cost All online classes, including the ICS 300/400 classes hosted at ETCOG, are free. Prerequisites Please read this section carefully before registering. The following four prerequisite courses are required: ICS 100 ICS 200 ICS 700 ICS 800 FEMA online training link for prerequisites: Emergency Management Institute - National Incident Management System (NIMS) https://training.fema.gov/nims/ Please bring copies of your prerequisite certificates with you to class, if possible. A screenshot of your certificates is also acceptable. What to Bring Please bring the following items to training: Copies or screenshots of your ICS 100, ICS 200, ICS 700, and ICS 800 certificates A tablet or laptop The participant manual downloaded to your device The participant manual will be available after you complete registration. Registration Assistance If you have trouble registering, please send a screenshot of the issue so we can help troubleshoot. Thank you, and please register as soon as possible to help ensure the class meets the minimum attendance requirement.

Recognizing National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, April 12–18, 2026

By ETCOG Public Safety • April 1, 2026
National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, observed April 12–18, 2026 , honors the dedication, service, and sacrifice of the public safety telecommunicators who answer the call when emergencies happen. Held each year during the second week of April, the observance recognizes the professionals who serve as the critical first point of contact in emergency situations. At ETCOG, we are proud to recognize the telecommunicators who serve communities across our region. Their work requires professionalism, compassion, quick thinking, and a steadfast commitment to public safety. In moments of crisis, they provide calm, skilled support and help connect people to the emergency services they need. In 2025 , telecommunicators in ETCOG’s service area answered more than 174,000 9-1-1 calls and more than 20,000 9-1-1 texts . Behind each of those numbers is a person in need of help and a trained telecommunicator ready to respond. ETCOG supports the region’s dispatch offices through training, equipment upgrades, and management of the regional 9-1-1 system. These efforts help ensure telecommunicators have the tools, technology, and resources needed to serve the public effectively and efficiently. During National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, we extend our sincere appreciation to the men and women who help keep our communities safe every day. Their work is essential, and their service makes a meaningful difference throughout East Texas.
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