Fire services training grant

Important dates

Overview

The Fire Services Training Program (FSTP) Grant provides funding – of up to approximately $10,000 (per application) – to assist communities in ensuring their local fire services are adequately trained to respond safely and effectively to identified community risks.

Key outcomes of the program include:

• preserving public safety in Alberta
• ensuring local authorities are effectively managing community risks
• ensuring fire fighters are able to receive training in alignment with best practices

For more information, read the Fire Services Training Program Grant Guidelines 2024 document.

Funding

Funding is allocated to help fund the approved training. Not all applicants will receive funding, and not all recipients will receive the entire amount of their funding requests. The recipient must agree to contribute any outstanding funds for the training.

Funding is made as a lump-sum payment to the hosting municipality or First Nation.

Eligible entities

• Alberta municipalities, including municipal corporations and regional services commissions
• Metis Settlements in Alberta
• First Nations communities in Alberta
• partnerships of the above
• partnerships with a municipality as the primary applicant

Ineligible entities

• individuals
• for-profit business/corporations
• applicants with overdue FSTP Grant requirements from a previous year

Eligible costs

Eligible costs include, but are not limited to:

• fire services course fees
• cost of facility rental for the purposes of offering training
• training materials
• instructor expenses
• reasonable costs for student travel and meals
• in-house instructor fees (training is not intended to subsidize an employee’s full-time salary, but may be paid to volunteers as contractors)

Ineligible costs

• capital or equipment purchases, repairs, upgrading or maintenance
• wages, stipends, or honoraria for students (costs for student travel and meals, based on the Government of Alberta’s travel, meal and hospitality expenses policy, are eligible)
• training delivered outside Alberta
• Incident Command System (ICS) courses
• training completed prior to receiving Minister approval
• rental of owned classrooms and equipment

How applications were evaluated

Applications were evaluated based on the following criteria:

• alignment with strategic focus of the training:
  • training aligns with the specific needs of the community and its identified fire risks or its community risk assessment
• quality of the training:
  • training is based on industry best practices and/or curriculum
  • instructors and evaluators are qualified and experienced
• overall completeness of the application:
  • training application information is legible and provides information necessary to fully assess eligibility

Successful applicants

Successful applicants are required to sign the Conditional Grant Agreement (CGA) to receive funds. Training cannot start until after the Minister (or their delegated representative) signs the CGA.

The terms of the agreement include:

• the use of the grant for approved purposes only
• eligibility
• reporting and accountability requirements
• the Minister’s right to audit any project
• the Minister’s right to require a refund of any grant funds not used in accordance with the agreement

The Minister’s decisions regarding grant funding are final.

First Nations applicants

First Nations must submit a Band Council Resolution along with the signed CGA.

Reporting requirements

A reporting document is provided to successful applicants. Funding recipients must submit documentation to demonstrate that:

• the total grant received was used in accordance with the CGA
• receipts and invoices were provided and paid
• the training provided matches the information provided in the application
• the municipality or First Nation did not use any portion of the grant to carry out training before the original CGA was signed by the Minister of Municipal Affairs (or their designated representative)
• course(s) were completed by May 31, 2025 or by the completion date as stated in an amended CGA

Extensions and course change requests

Extension or course change requests must be received prior to April 1, 2025.

Any material changes to the training plan, schedule or budget approved under this grant will require notification to, and approval by, Alberta Municipal Affairs.

Contact

If you have any questions about the program or these guidelines, contact the grants coordinator:

Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 1-866-421-6929
Email: [email protected]