Grants for Fire Departments
Last updated August 15, 2026
There are currently 121 active grants for fire departments in Grantable's free grants database, drawn from state and foundation sources and updated daily.
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About grants for fire departments
Grants for fire departments fund apparatus, personal protective equipment, breathing apparatus, training, staffing, and prevention programs that local tax bases often cannot fully cover. The cornerstone is FEMA's Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program, which includes the AFG, Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER), and Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) grants. State fire marshal offices, corporate foundations, and national fire service organizations provide additional funding for gear, vehicles, and recruitment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What grants are available for fire departments?
Fire departments can pursue grants for engines and apparatus, turnout gear and SCBA, wellness and fitness programs, training, fire prevention education, and firefighter staffing. The primary federal sources are FEMA's three Assistance to Firefighters programs: AFG (equipment and operations), SAFER (hiring and retaining firefighters), and FP&S (prevention and safety research). State agencies and private foundations supplement these with equipment and community risk reduction grants.
What is the FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG)?
The Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) is a competitive FEMA program that helps fire departments and non-affiliated emergency medical services organizations meet their firefighting and emergency response needs. Funds can be used for personal protective equipment, apparatus, training, and health and wellness initiatives. AFG sits alongside FEMA's SAFER grant (which funds firefighter hiring and recruitment) and FP&S grant (which funds prevention and safety projects) under the broader Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program.
Can volunteer fire departments apply?
Yes. Volunteer and combination fire departments are eligible for AFG, SAFER, and FP&S grants, and FEMA's scoring criteria are designed so that smaller and volunteer departments compete fairly against larger career agencies. SAFER in particular funds recruitment and retention campaigns aimed squarely at the volunteer service. A strong application ties each request to documented community risk, call data, and a clear gap that local funding cannot close.
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