Fire and emergency responders grant now open for counties

Author

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Brett Mattson

Legislative Director – Justice & Public Safety | Gulf States Counties & Parishes Caucus
Naomi Freel

Naomi Freel

Legislative Assistant

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Key Takeaways

On March 11, the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced the opening of the Fiscal Year 2023 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program. With $360 million available, this funding opportunity will assist local fire departments and volunteer firefighter organizations in increasing or maintaining the number of trained firefighters protecting counties across the nation.

What does the SAFER Grant Program do?  

  • The program offers $360 million in grants directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter organizations in counties across the U.S.
  • SAFER grants aim to increase or maintain trained firefighters to meet industry standards, attain 24-hour staffing and enhance fire protection capabilities, ensuring communities are adequately safeguarded.
  • Since 2005, SAFER has awarded approximately $5.2 billion, supporting skilled firefighting workforce training, enhancing local capacity and saving county residents' lives by supporting adequate staffing. 

Application deadline

The SAFER funding opportunity is available at Grants.gov. The application period closes on April 12, 2024, at 5 p.m. ET. Eligible applicants must apply via FEMA GO.  

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