Fire and emergency response grants now open for counties

Author

Image of Brett-Mattson.jpg

Brett Mattson

Legislative Director, Justice & Public Safety | Midsize County Caucus
Naomi Freel

Naomi Freel

Legislative Associate

Upcoming Events

Related News

Female firefighter and group of firemen with fire trucks

Key Takeaways

On May 20, the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced the opening of the Fiscal Year 2024 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Program and the Fiscal Year 2024 Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) Grant Program, which support fire departments and firefighter organizations in increasing staffing and improving safety nationwide. With a combined $396 million in available funding, these programs help fire departments and volunteer firefighter organizations increase or maintain staffing levels, enhance community fire prevention efforts and support research into best practices for firefighter safety—ensuring strong, reliable fire protection and emergency response in counties across the nation.

SAFER Grant Program  

  • 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.

Learn more

FP&S Grant Program

  • The program offers $36 million in funding directly to fire departments or other interest organizations for fire prevention programs and firefighter safety research.
  • FP&S grants aims to enhance community fire prevention efforts and support scientific research on innovations meant to reduce injury and improve the overall health of firefighters.
  • Since 2002, FP&S has awarded nearly $900 million, supporting fire prevention and identifying best practices for ensuring the safety and overall wellbeing of firefighters.  

Learn more

Application deadline

The SAFER and FP&S funding opportunities are available at Grants.gov. The application period for both the FY24 SAFER and FP&S programs will open at 9 a.m. ET on May 23, 2025, and close on July 3, 2025, at 5 p.m. ET. Eligible applicants must apply via FEMA Grants Outcomes (GO).  

Related News

Multnomah County, Ore. is working to ensure the Burnside Bridge is still standing after a major earthquake.
County News

Pacific Northwest counties prepare for ‘The Big One’

Counties in Oregon and Washington are preparing for the devastating earthquake and tsunami that scientists say is coming in the next 50 years.

Doctor conducting exam on a teen
Advocacy

CMS announces grant awards to improve the continuity of care for justice-involved individuals

On September 27, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced $106.5 million in state planning grants aimed at improving healthcare continuity for individuals transitioning from incarceration.

Phone emergency alert
Advocacy

FCC opens comment period on modernizing the nation's alerting systems

On August 11, the FCC issued a request for public comment on the Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts, to determine if alternative regulatory approaches would better maximize the usefulness, effectiveness and resiliency of the public safety systems.