Grants for Volunteer Fire Departments, Career Departments, and EMS Agencies
Federal AFG and SAFER grants, state firefighter assistance funds, and foundation grants for fire departments and volunteer firefighter organizations.
FEMA administers the two largest federal grant programs for fire departments: the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) for equipment and training, and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant for personnel.
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Top opportunities
Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG)
State of IndianaUp to $292MopenAssistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) is sponsored by State of Indiana. (F) Fall 2025 N/A (5-15% local match) FEMA
Volunteer Firefighter Equipment and Training Grant Program
Tennessee State Fire Marshal's Office (SFMO)Up to $20MopenVolunteer Firefighter Equipment and Training Grant Program is sponsored by Tennessee State Fire Marshal's Office (SFMO). This grant program has two co...
Firefighter Assistance Grant Program (Florida)
Florida Department of Financial Services, State Fire MarshalUp to $2.0MopenFirefighter Assistance Grant Program (Florida) is sponsored by Florida Department of Financial Services, State Fire Marshal. This program aims to impr...
Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program (Alabama)
Alabama Forestry CommissionUp to $1.0MopenVolunteer Fire Department Assistance Program (Alabama) is a grant from the Alabama Forestry Commission that distributes approximately $1,000,000 annua...
State Fire Assistance - Western Wildland Urban Interface Program
Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (DFFM)Up to $300KopenState Fire Assistance - Western Wildland Urban Interface Program is sponsored by Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (DFFM). Provides f...
Jack Lewis Safety Fund
Walter Scott Family FoundationUp to $50KDeadline: Sep 1, 2026openJack Lewis Safety Fund is sponsored by Walter Scott Family Foundation. Offers grants up to $50,000 for police, fire, and EMS departments in Nebraska c...
Leary Firefighters Foundation Grants
Leary Firefighters Foundation (LFF)Up to $25KopenLeary Firefighters Foundation Grants is sponsored by Leary Firefighters Foundation (LFF). The Leary Firefighters Foundation offers grants for training...
Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) Grant – New Mexico
USDA Forest Service via New Mexico EMNRD Forestry DivisionUp to $25KopenVolunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) Grant is a grant administered by the New Mexico Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) Forestry Di...
Jeremiah Lucey Grant Program
Leary Firefighters FoundationUp to $25KopenJeremiah Lucey Grant Program is sponsored by Leary Firefighters Foundation. The Leary Firefighters Foundation provides funding to paid and volunteer f...
Fire Department Equipment Grant
Ohio Department of Commerce, Division of State Fire MarshalUp to $15KopenFire Department Equipment Grant is sponsored by Ohio Department of Commerce, Division of State Fire Marshal. This grant provides funding to qualifying...
Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program (VFA)
Up to $5KopenThe Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program (VFA) provides cost-share funding to recognized, non-profit volunteer fire departments (VFDs) i...
VFIS of Texas/Texas Mutual Insurance Company Health and Wellness Grant
VFIS of Texas and Texas Mutual Insurance CompanyUp to $5KopenVFIS of Texas/Texas Mutual Insurance Company Health and Wellness Grant is sponsored by VFIS of Texas and Texas Mutual Insurance Company. This need-bas...
WPS Rewarding Responders Grant
Wisconsin Public Service FoundationUp to $2KopenThe WPS Rewarding Responders Grant is a program from the Wisconsin Public Service Foundation that provides up to $2,000 to support county, local, and ...
Volunteer Fire Protection Association Workers’ Compensation Insurance Grant Program
Missouri Department of Public Safety / Division of Fire SafetyUp to $2KopenVolunteer Fire Protection Association Workers’ Compensation Insurance Grant Program is sponsored by Missouri Department of Public Safety / Division of...
Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) Grant Program
Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Ohio Division of ForestryDeadline: Nov 15, 2026openVolunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) Grant Program is sponsored by Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Ohio Division of Forestry. This 50/50 cost-share g...
Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) Grant Program
Ohio Department of Natural ResourcesDeadline: Jan 15, 2027openVolunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) Grant Program is sponsored by Ohio Department of Natural Resources. This 50/50 cost-share program aims to enhance rura...
Fire Department Individual and Joint Equipment Grant
Ohio Department of Commerce Division of State Fire MarshalopenFire Department Individual and Joint Equipment Grant is sponsored by Ohio Department of Commerce Division of State Fire Marshal. This grant provides f...
Volunteer Fire Infrastructure & Response Equipment (V-FIRE) Grant Program
New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) Office of Fire Prevention and ControlopenVolunteer Fire Infrastructure & Response Equipment (V-FIRE) Grant Program is sponsored by New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency S...
Firefighters Charitable Foundation Grants
Firefighters Charitable FoundationopenFirefighters Charitable Foundation Grants is a grant from Firefighters Charitable Foundation that funds fire departments, firefighter associations, an...
Reimbursement for Costs of Firefighting on Federal Property Program
Department of Homeland Security - FEMAopenReimbursement for Costs of Firefighting on Federal Property Program is a grant from the Department of Homeland Security FEMA, administered by the U.S....
Common questions about grants for fire departments
What is the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG)?
AFG is FEMA's primary equipment and training grant for fire departments. It funds turnout gear, breathing apparatus, vehicles (when no other path exists), training (especially EMT-B and EMT-P), wellness programs, and operational equipment. Total AFG funding is approximately $370 million annually. Applications open in winter and close in late winter or early spring each year.
What is SAFER and who qualifies?
SAFER (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) funds the hiring and retention of firefighters. Both career and volunteer departments qualify. Career-hiring SAFER awards fund firefighter salaries and benefits for up to three years; recruitment and retention SAFER awards fund volunteer firefighter recruitment campaigns, retention efforts, and incentives.
Do volunteer fire departments qualify for federal grants?
Yes. AFG, SAFER, and the Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) grants all explicitly include volunteer fire departments. Many volunteer departments receive AFG awards for SCBA, turnout gear, and small fire apparatus. State-level firefighter assistance funds, the National Volunteer Fire Council, and rural-development USDA funds also support volunteer departments specifically.
What state funding is available for fire departments?
Most states administer their own firefighter assistance funds, often using state fire-insurance premium taxes as the funding source. State EMS bureaus typically operate parallel grant programs for ambulance services. State homeland-security grant programs (SHSP, UASI in metro areas) pass federal DHS dollars through to local fire departments for hazmat and special-rescue equipment.
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