Frequently asked questions about NFPA's Enforcer Funding Project
This list is intended to answer some of the most commonly asked questions about the NFPA Enforcer Funding Program (EFP). For a full description of the Program, see the Program Description.
Q: Do I have to be a Technical Committee Member to get funding?
A: Yes. To be eligible for the Program, you must be a duly appointed member of an NFPA Technical Committee and have been classified by the NFPA Standards Council, for purposes of Committee balance, as an Enforcer, or more formally, as an “Enforcing Authority (E).” For more information about NFPA Technical Committees and Committee membership.
Q: Do all Enforcers get reimbursement for Committee participation?
A: No. To be eligible for reimbursement funds under the Program, you must be an Enforcer who is either a full time public employee or a person who acts as an enforcer in his or her capacity as a member of the volunteer fire service.
Q: Are all expenses related to Committee participation eligible for reimbursement?
A: No. The Program is intended to reimburse only major transportation and lodging expenses, and those expenses are reimbursed at 80 percent. Also, while the main Committee meetings will be covered (i.e., that is, the First Draft and Second Draft meetings), coverage for other meetings will be reviewed and approved on a case by case basis.
Q: If I am a consultant working exclusively for municipalities or other government organizations, am I eligible for reimbursement?
A: No. To be eligible for reimbursement, you must be a full time public employee or a person who is an Enforcer in his or her capacity as a member of the volunteer fire service.
Q: If I am an Alternate or a Nonvoting Committee member, can I get reimbursement?
A: Yes. Both Alternates and Nonvoting Committee members can be eligible for the Program. However, funding for Alternates will only be available for meetings at which the Principal member is not in attendance.
Q: What if I am classified as an Enforcer on my Technical Committee but don’t qualify for reimbursement under the Program. Does my ineligibility for the Program affect my Committee membership or my classification as an Enforcer on the Committee?
A: No. Committee membership and classification are determined by the NFPA Standards Council in accordance with NFPA’s standards development procedures. Eligibility for reimbursement under the Program is independent of and has no bearing on your Committee membership or classification.
Q: Why are Enforcers the only category eligible for reimbursement?
A: The purpose of this Program is to enhance NFPA Technical Committee balance of interests and to promote public sector participation in NFPA standards development activities by reducing financial barriers to participation entailed by public sector budget constraints. NFPA does not have unlimited funds, however, and to make the most of available resources, it has focused the Program on public sector Enforcers because this is an interest classification for which a need for greater participation on many NFPA Committees has been identified.
Q: If I am interested in receiving reimbursement funding from the Program, how do I become eligible?
A: In order to become eligible, you must submit an application. NFPA will then determine your eligibility and, if you are eligible, provide you with a written determination. Once you have received this written determination, you may begin requesting reimbursements. View the Application for Eligibility and the NFPA Enforcer Funding Program description.
Q: What expenses are eligible to be reimbursed?
A: The Program provides reimbursement funding (at 80%) for the major expenses of attendance at Committee Meetings. Generally, that includes two components. The first component is the expense of the transportation used to get you to and from your home base to the meeting location. That can include air, train or bus travel but not taxis or car services. Your personal vehicles can be used and are reimbursed according to a standard mileage rate. It also includes the cost of public transportation or shuttle service to and from the airport or train station used to travel between your base home and the meeting. The second component is the expense of lodging while you are at the meeting. Lodging must generally be at the group rate negotiated by NFPA at the designated host hotel. Where no hotel has been designated, reimbursement is capped at 80% of a standard rate which is currently $160. Further details on these “Covered Expenses” are contained in the Program Description. Any expenses not designated as a Covered Expense in the Program Description are not eligible for reimbursement. Expenses which are not covered include, for example, the costs of, incidentals, meals, parking, car rentals or local transportation while you are at the meeting.
Q: Will the Program advance me funds to cover an expense before I have incurred it? How do I get reimbursed?
A: No. The Program will only provide you with reimbursement of funds that you have actually spent. Reimbursement from the Fund shall require the timely submission of full documentation for all reimbursable expenses (including receipts) on forms designated by NFPA and in accordance with NFPA policies for documenting reimbursements in effect at the time of reimbursement. Reimbursement Forms and expense documentation must be submitted within 30 days of the last day of the meeting.
Q: Once approved for the Program, do I have to use the NFPA travel agent? What if my employer has a mandatory travel agent?
A: Travel should be by the most economical means available. Travel arrangements by common carrier (i.e., air and train travel) must be made through NFPA’s authorized travel agent, currently Direct Travel, which may be contacted at 866-588-3093 or 781-471-3419. State or local government employees who are required to utilize contract travel representatives shall be permitted to request relief from the requirement to use NFPA’s travel agent, provided travel expenses derived from this source are not more than the cost available from the NFPA travel agent.
Q: Where can I find more information?
A: All information and forms needed to a) apply for this program and b) request reimbursement of allowed travel and hotel expenses is available at www.nfpa.org/enforcers
Specific questions can be emailed to enforcerprogram@nfpa.org.