Fire services training grant

Important dates for 2022-23

Overview

The Fire Services Training Program (FSTP) provides funding to support communities to help ensure local fire services are adequately trained to respond to emergencies safely and effectively.

Key outcomes of the program include:

• Alberta communities are supported in developing capacity to prevent, prepare for, and respond to identified risk
• training of fire services remains current and is updated as required
• training aligns with and supports community planning

For more information, read the Fire Services Training Program Guidelines 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
• Metis Settlements in Alberta
• First Nations communities in Alberta
• partnerships of the above or partnerships with a municipality as the primary applicant

Ineligible entities

• individuals
• applicants with history of non-compliance
• for-profit business/corporations

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

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)
• Incident Command System (ICS) courses
• training completed prior to receiving Minister approval
• rental of owned classrooms and equipment
• in-house instructor fees (training is not intended to subsidize an employee’s full-time salary, but may be paid to volunteers as contractors)

How to apply

Step 1. Read the guidelines

• Fire Services Training Program Guidelines

Step 2. Complete the application package

• Fire Services Training Program application form (PDF, 5.5 MB)

Step 3. Submit the application package

All applications must be received by the January 13, 2023 deadline.

Mail or email your application form and detailed plan to:

Grants Coordinator
Technical and Corporate Services Division
16th Floor, Commerce Place
10155 102 Street
Edmonton, Alberta  T5J 4L4

Email: [email protected]

After you apply

Application criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• alignment with ministry priorities
• alignment with strategic focus of the proposed training
• the plan outlining timelines for training completion
• quality of proposed training
• the applicant’s compliance with previous training grants and history of training completed
• overall quality of the application

Successful applicants

Applicants will be notified by March or April 2023, whether their application was successful. Both successful and unsuccessful applicants will receive a notification.

Successful applicants will be required to sign a 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

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

Reporting documents will be 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
• course(s) were completed by May 31, 2024, or by the completion date as stated in an amended CGA

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]