Many departments rely on grant funding for SCBA purchases. We’ve put together the following answers to frequently asked SCBA grant questions to help with your SCBA grant applications.

When submitting a grant application for SCBAs, what should be included?

Grant organizations award funding based on what the department asks for. Much like a competitive bid situation, the grant application should include line item components of the SCBA configuration: SCBA harness, cylinders (typically two per complete SCBA unit), facepiece, voice amplification, buddy breather, Bluetooth communications, etc. Departments typically line item either one facepiece per riding position or plan for additional facepieces so they are assigned per firefighter and not shared, which depends on the individual grant program’s funding priorities.

Are SCBA grants only available for units that are 15 years old or older?

Grant organizations often consider equipment age when prioritizing applications for PPE that is necessary to protect firefighter health and safety. While SCBA is typically replaced around the 15-year mark, the FY 2023 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program guidelines recognized the need to sometimes replace them sooner. The most recent application cycle allowed for replacement of SCBA that was at least 10 years old and outdated by two or more NFPA cycles. These guidelines also allowed applications for the replacement of damaged/unsafe/unrepairable PPE including SCBA regardless of age. Be sure to review funding guidelines carefully and ask if such applications are allowable.

Are there any changes to NFPA 1981 with the new NFPA 1970 standards consolidation that departments should consider when applying for SCBA grants?

One proposed change to NFPA 1981 in the new NFPA 1970 standard establishes criteria for wireless interfaces from SCBA to other devices. A new requirement will be a wireless status indication in the heads-up display (HUD) or other location on the SCBA that is discernible by the end user when the facepiece is worn. The indicator will have to show both when the device is paired with the SCBA and when the connection is lost.

Currently the MSA G1 SCBA control module includes a Bluetooth icon that displays if Bluetooth is connected, the reliability of the connection, and if the Bluetooth connection is lost.

What is the period of performance for AFG awards?

The AFG period of performance is the time interval within which grant recipients are expected to complete the awarded activities from date of award. This may also be referred to as the purchase period and varies by grant. For AFG, the period of performance is 24 months. Be sure to review funding guidelines carefully to understand the period of performance.

Does FEMA have a set dollar amount per SCBA for AFG awards?

According to FEMA, there is no set dollar amount for AFG SCBA awards, but awards are often scrutinized in order to spread funding across as many departments as possible. Each application is evaluated on its own merit and the needs of the individual applicant. Departments should request the SCBA configuration that they need and provide specific justification for each function or add-on to the ensemble by tying these capabilities back into to their overarching risk/needs assessment.

How can rising costs be accounted for in grant applications?

Grant programs typically increase their maximum allowable costs in response to inflation and market trends, although there can be a delay to this process. One of the best methods to reduce acquisition costs is through bulk ordering, which often applies to AFG regional requests where multiple departments take part in a joint application. Applicants can also seek partial or supplemental funding through separate public or private grant programs to cover add-on functions that may exceed the allowable costs for the main grant program. Be sure to review funding guidelines carefully to determine whether partial funding is permitted.

 What other fire grants besides AFG are available for SCBA?

Recognizing the importance of SCBA to firefighter health and safety, several grants are available for the purchase of SCBA in addition to AFG.  One notable example is the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation Grants. Many states also administer their own grant or supplemental funding programs oriented toward fire departments, such as the Rural Fire Capacity Grant in Montana and the Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant in Minnesota. Many of these funding opportunities are operated in conjunction with federal agencies and tailored toward a specific purpose, such as supporting volunteer departments. Applicants can consult their state fire authority for guidance on available grant funding or easily search the Fire GrantFinder database from FireGrantsHelp.com to identify relevant programs. Numerous corporate/private grant opportunities exist at the national, state, and local levels as well.

Fire GrantFinder is a subscription research database focused on grants for fire and rescue. However, departments can access the real-time, online, searchable database of federal, state, foundation, and corporate grants available to fund department projects or programs – at no cost – by signing up for free grant consultation sponsored by MSA. Read on for details.

How can my department get assistance with SCBA grants?

MSA sponsors free grant consultation for two product categories, including SCBA, through FireGrantsHelp:

• Grant help for SCBA
• Grant help for Turnout Gear

The FireGrantsHelp staff of grant consultants offers invaluable assistance, whether you’re just starting your project and aren’t sure where to begin or you need to add the final touches to an application.

The MSA sponsorship includes deeply discounted grant writing services at 50% off rate card. Some grants allow reimbursement for grant writing or grant preparation costs. Be sure to review funding guidelines carefully and ask if these costs are allowable.