Training grants now available
The Minnesota Board of Firefighter Training and Education (MBFTE) has $1,180,000 available to reimburse Minnesota fire departments for training. The Request for Reimbursement program guidelines and applications forms are now available and can be downloaded below. Application deadline is July 10, 2010; applicants will be notified by July 30 about the amount of funding awarded.
The MBFTE only reimburses for approved classes taught to national standards; National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) or National Fire Academy (NFA), and OSHA. Reimbursable classes must also be taught by instructors meeting certain qualifications as defined by the MBFTE. This is the third round of firefighter training reimbursement funding. In the last two rounds Firefighter 1 & 2 were requested by over 88% of applicants.
The training reimbursement funds come from the Minnesota Fire Safety Account as recommended by the Minnesota Fire Service Advisory Committee. In 2006, the Minnesota Legislature repealed the Fire Marshal Tax, which had been collected for more than 70 years. Most consumers were unaware of the Fire Marshal Tax because it was included in new homeowners insurance premiums. The Fire Safety Surcharge that replaced the Fire Marshal Tax is listed separately on premium notices and is equal to .65 percent of the overall premium. Funds collected in this manner comprise the majority of the State Fire Marshal Division budget, fund the MBFTE and provide grants for fire related, regional response teams and other fire service programs that have potentially statewide impact.
The intent of the MBFTE to use the Fire Safety Account funds as a means to support the highest training standards under the most equitable circumstances possible, to promote the safety of both the firefighters and the citizens of Minnesota.
To download the program guidelines in either a Word or PDF document, click here:
To download the application form in either a Word or PDF document, click here: