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FEMA Opens Three Grants for Firefighters and First Responders

May 19, 2026
two firefighters spraying water on a burning structure

FEMA announced $648 million in three funding opportunities to help firefighters and other first responders stay safe while protecting lives and communities nationwide. Through these opportunities, FEMA is empowering fire stations and other first responder organizations to get the equipment, staff, and support they need.

Available Grant Programs

The funding opportunities span three separate grant programs:

  • Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) - for fire departments and other emergency medical services agencies. Funds can be used to equip and train emergency personnel, such as outfitting responders with personal protective equipment and purchasing emergency response vehicles. They also can be used to fund health, wellness and resiliency initiatives to prepare responders for incidents. FY 2025 AFG NOFO. 
  • Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) - for fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations. Funds can be used to increase the number of volunteer or paid firefighters by hiring new firefighters, converting part-time or paid-on-call firefighters to full-time roles, and recruit and retain volunteer firefighters. FY 2025 SAFER NOFO.
  • Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) - for fire departments and non-profit organizations, academic and other research-oriented institutions. Funds can be used for fire prevention programs and research/clinical studies focused on firefighter safety, health or well-being research and development. FY 2025 FP&S NOFO.

Applications due 06/22/26 by 5 pm for all three programs. Before applying, FEMA encourages applicants to review the various resources published on FEMA.gov which will help them develop strong applications.

Each grant opportunity is separate and requires its own application submission. Applicants intending to apply to multiple opportunities should carefully review the specific eligibility requirements, funding priorities, and application criteria associated with each NOFO. 

Recommended First Steps

Applicants are encouraged to complete the following steps as soon as possible:

  1. Review the applicable FY 2025 NOFO(s).
  2. Confirm your organization's SAM.gov registration is active and current.
  3. Ensure FEMA GO user accounts are established and accessible.
  4. Register for upcoming training and live Q&A sessions.
  5. Begin assembling required application materials immediately.
Application Workshop Schedule
TitleDateTimeLink
FY 2025 Assistance to Firefighters Grant WorkshopMay 19, 202610 AM - 4 PM ETWebinar Schedule page
FY 2025 Fire Prevention and Safety WorkshopMay 20, 202610 AM – 12 PM ETWebinar Schedule page
FY 2025 SAFER Hiring WorkshopMay 20, 20262 PM – 4 PM ETWebinar Schedule page
FY 2025 SAFER Recruitment and Retention WorkshopMay 21, 202610 AM – 12 PM ETWebinar Schedule page
FY 2025 Fire Prevention and Safety Research and Development WorkshopMay 21, 20262 PM – 4 PM ETWebinar Schedule page
FY 2025 SAFER Hiring WorkshopMay 26, 202610 AM – 12 PM ETWebinar Schedule page
FY 2025 Fire Prevention and Safety Grant WorkshopMay 26, 20262 PM – 4 PM ETWebinar Schedule page
FY 2025 Assistance to Firefighters Grant WorkshopMay 27, 202610 AM - 4 PM ETWebinar Schedule page
FY 2025 SAFER Recruit and Retention Grant WorkshopMay 28, 202610 AM – 12 PM ETWebinar Schedule page
FY 2025 Fire Prevention and Safety Research and DevelopmentMay 28, 20262 PM – 4 PM ETWebinar Schedule page

To participate: 

  1. Visit the Workshop Schedule Page: Click Here
  2. Review available session dates and times
  3. Select the session link to register
Resources