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Write a Good Narrative in your Application for the AFG Program
The application for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program must be completed electronically. Submissions are only allowed during open application period. The application can be found at the AFG Website www.firegrantsupport.com.
Before filing go to the website, look at the application and write a draft. Remember to use persuasive statements, include a strong beginning, factual middle, and restate your needs in the end. Use local statistics to explain your need and be direct. Have one or more persons check your work. Remember, you are only allowed one submission of a kind every year so make sure it is accurate and correct.
There are specific questions you will have to answer in your application regarding your department, community, and the specific nature of your request. In addition, a narrative part of the application is needed. This is the persuasive part that causes the most difficulty.
A good outline is needed. Be sure to include who you are, identifying the risk or problem, naming the solution, and supply a realistic cost estimate. Describe the ratio of cost to the benefit of your request. Make your narrative accurate but to the point. Keep in mind that panelists look at applications 5 days a week, 8 hours a day. Be as short as possible without losing accuracy.
Other things you should know before submitting your application – all applications are scored electronically. Risk indicators and items you have listed are matched up against the published funding priorities. Get a copy of this list. If your application scores high enough, then it moves on to peer review.
Peer review will be three separate reviews with scores. These scores are independent but will all be added and divided by three to arrive at your final score. If your score receives enough points then it moves onto the next phase of the process. That is before the AFG Program Officer for the final award approval and disposition of your application.
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