Fire and emergency responders grant now open for counties

Firefighter

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.  

Learn More

Related News

bike
Advocacy

U.S. House of Representatives re-establishes Bipartisan Mental Health Caucus with NACo support

On May 7, members of the U.S. House of Representatives appointed new leadership to the Bipartisan Mental Health Caucus, reaffirming their commitment to addressing the nation’s mental health crisis through cross-party collaboration. This renewed focus is a welcome development for counties, which serve on the frontlines of the behavioral health system. Bipartisan initiatives like this help elevate mental health as a national priority, support counties in advancing meaningful policy change and strengthen partnerships across all levels of government.  

Business along San Carlos Boulevard that were damaged during Hurricane Ian
Advocacy

New disaster recovery grants now open to support county economic development

The U.S. Economic Development Administration has launched the Fiscal Year 2025 Disaster Supplemental Grant Program, making $1.45 billion available to help communities recover from natural disasters and build long-term economic resilience. Counties affected by major disaster declarations in 2023 or 2024 are eligible to apply for funding to rebuild infrastructure, strengthen local economies and prepare for future disruptions. This program goes beyond immediate recovery, aiming to transform local economies and foster sustainable, long-term economic growth.