DHS First Responder Grants

Comprehensive list of DHS grants for first responders including AFG, SAFER, EMPG, SHSP, and UASI. Check Grants.gov for current open opportunities.

NFPA Fire Grant Programs

NFPA offers various grants and resources for fire departments including training grants, safety grants, and code development assistance. Check NFPA website for current cycles.

Hometown Heroes Recruiting Campaign

IAFC/IAFF program providing marketing materials and recruitment support for fire departments seeking new volunteers and career firefighters.

COPS Community Policing Development

DOJ grant that sometimes includes first responder collaboration projects. Can fund joint training, community engagement, and equipment for fire-police cooperation.

EMR/EMS Preparedness Grant

FEMA grant for enhancing emergency medical response. Funds equipment, training, and operational improvements for EMS agencies and fire departments providing EMS.

California Volunteer Fire Capacity (VFC) Grant

Federally funded program providing minor firefighting, training, communications, and safety equipment for volunteer firefighters. 50/50 match required. Awards $500-$20,000.

Texas Rural VFD Assistance Program (RVFDAP)

Major state program funding TX VFDs for apparatus, equipment, PPE, training, and dry hydrants. $225M awarded in FY2026 alone. 89th Legislature appropriated $88M for biennium. Rolling funding rounds.

Pennsylvania Fire Company & EMS Grant

Annual PA grant for fire companies, EMS, and rescue squads. Covers facilities, equipment, debt reduction, training, recruitment/retention, and construction savings accounts. Up to two project categories per application.

New York V-FIRE Grant Program

Reimbursement-based grant for NY volunteer fire departments. Two tracks: Facility projects up to $1M for construction/renovation, or Equipment projects up to $500K for fire service equipment. Shared services and consolidation encouraged.

$25M total available. Must not have received prior V-FIRE funding.

Florida Firefighter Assistance Grant Program (FFAGP)

State-funded program for volunteer and combination fire departments in Florida. Covers instructor reimbursement, PPE, SCBA, safety equipment, wildland gear, apparatus, and AFG cost-share. No matching funds required.

FY2025-26: $3M total ($1M standard + $2M for fiscally constrained counties).

SAFER Recruitment & Retention

Special SAFER track for volunteer departments. Funds recruitment, marketing, training, and incentives. 2026 rule eliminates clawback.

AFG Safety Equipment (Next Cycle)

Purchase turnout gear, SCBA, thermal imaging cameras. Priority to departments with oldest gear. Expected next FEMA cycle.

FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program

Grants for mitigation after disaster declarations. Can fund fire station improvements, flood proofing, and equipment hardening.

USDA Community Facilities Grants

Grants for essential community facilities in rural areas including fire stations. Public bodies and nonprofits in communities under 20,000.

FY 2026 AFG/SAFER/FP&S (Anticipated)

FEMA expected to open FY26 applications in spring 2027. Start preparing your FEMA GO account now.

Illinois VFA Grant

50/50 reimbursement grants up to $10K for rural fire protection equipment, communications, and training.

Kentucky VFA Grant

50/50 matching grants ($1K-$5K) for wildland fire equipment and training for rural departments serving populations of 10,000 or less.

Ohio Small County VFD Grant

Up to $50,000 for equipment, gear, repairs, training, and recruitment. Volunteer depts in counties under 70,000 get priority. $8M total.

Missouri Volunteer Fire Department Grant

Up to $15,000 for equipment and supplies for volunteer/combination fire depts with budgets under $50K. 5% cash match required.

FY 2025 Fire Prevention & Safety (FP&S) Grant

Funds community risk reduction, fire prevention, and fire service research. Open to fire departments, nonprofits, and research institutions.

FY 2025 SAFER - Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response

Funds to increase trained front-line firefighters. Covers hiring and recruitment/retention for volunteer depts. 2026 rule allows converting positions without clawback.

FY 2025 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG)

The AFG program provides funding directly to fire departments and non-affiliated EMS. Funds for protective equipment, vehicles, training, and facility modifications.

Set-aside: At least 25% reserved for career, combination, and volunteer departments each.

Test Grant