Is reporting to the NFIRS required to apply for and be awarded an AFG Program grant?

NFIRS reporting is strongly encouraged for all fire departments (as defined by 15 USC § 2229(a)(7)) but is not a requirement to apply for AFG Program funds. However, fire departments that receive funding under this program must agree to provide information to NFIRS for the period covered by the assistance. If a recipient does not currently participate in NFIRS and does not have the capacity to report at the time of the award, that recipient must agree to provide information to the system for the length of the grant period of performance commencing as soon as possible after they develop the capacity to report. Capacity to report to NFIRS must be established prior to the termination of the performance period. The recipient may be asked by FEMA to provide proof of compliance in reporting to NFIRS. Any recipient that stops reporting to NFIRS during their grant’s period of performance is subject to having their award(s) modified or withdrawn. NFIRS reporting requirements do not apply to nonaffiliated emergency medical service (EMS) organizations and State Fire Training Academies (SFTAs).