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Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) Program for Public Agencies

What is the FMAG program?

The Fire Management Assistance Grant Program is a grant program authorized under the Stafford Act that can reimburse a large portion of the costs to state, local and federally recognized tribal governments for the mitigation, management and control of fires on publicly or privately owned forests or grasslands. The program is authorized when a fire receives a federal fire declaration from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). A federal fire declaration may be requested and issued for an uncontrolled fire when a threat of a major disaster exists.

The fire declaration process is initiated by the state when an authorized representative submits a request for a federal fire declaration to the FEMA Regional Administrator. These declarations are requested while a fire is burning uncontrolled and threatens to cause enough damage as would warrant a major disaster declaration (under the criteria for either Public Assistance or Individual Assistance). The entire process is accomplished on an expedited basis and a FEMA decision is rendered in a matter of hours.

Who can participate?

Public entities can participate in the FMAG program. Examples include:

  • Special purpose districts such as fire districts and publicly owned utility companies
  • State agencies
  • County and local emergency management
  • Law enforcement and public works offices
  • Tribal Government

What’s covered?

The FMAG Program provides a 75 percent Federal cost share for eligible emergency response and fire suppression costs. The State may contribute to the non-federal portion. Examples of reimbursable costs include, but are not limited to:

  • Firefighting - overtime, equipment (use, repair and replacement), tools, supplies, and mobilization and demobilization activities
  • Emergency Response - overtime and equipment time for providing evacuation notices, barricading roads, water pumping, and emergency operations center costs
  • Grant Administration – labor, travel and materials for administering the grant

A large fire is burning in my jurisdiction, now what?

Please contact the FMAG section (see below) as soon as possible and provide the following information:

More Information

For more information, contact

*Note the Washington State FMAG Program cell phone number is (253) 345-0436

Catharina “Cat” Whipple
FMAG Program Manager
(253) 512-7403
Catharina.Whipple@mil.wa.gov

Amy Mampreian
FMAG Program Delivery and Closeout Manager
(253) 512-7446
amy.mampreian@mil.wa.gov

Kristin Moerler
Closeout Manager
(253) 355-8418
kristin.moerler@mil.wa.gov

Geoff Phillips
Closeout Manager
(253) 355-5600
geoffrey.phillips@mil.wa.gov

Joseph Price
FMAG Program Delivery Manager
(253) 512-7144
joseph.price@mil.wa.gov

Mailing address:
Fire Management Grants Program
Bldg 20-B, MS: TA-20-B
Camp Murray, WA 98430

Fax: (253) 512-7405

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