Last verified October 18, 2026 · How we verify
Grants for fire departments, EMS and rescue squads
As of October 2026, we track 4 verified programs for fire departments, EMS agencies and rescue squads: 2 open nationwide and 2 run by a state.
Many volunteer departments still raise money for turnout gear one fundraiser at a time. Federal, state and corporate programs pay for gear, training, radios and trucks every year. The hard part is timing: many open once a year for a few weeks. This page shows what is open now and when the rest usually reopen.
4 grants your department could win, by name
Every program here is for fire departments, EMS agencies or rescue squads. The line under each name says who can apply, like the population you serve or how many paid members you have. Each one links to the funder's official page.
Open nationwide
| Program | Amount | Status | Who can apply | Official link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) Grant Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) · Nationwide Verified Oct 18, 2026 | Up to $1.5 million (5% cost share); $32.4 million total in FY2025 | Between cycles Usually opens around Fall 2027, based on past rounds | Only for fire departments (incl. nonprofit volunteer companies) and nonprofits known for fire prevention and safety work. 5% cost share. | Official page ↗ |
Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) · Nationwide Verified Oct 18, 2026 | FY2025: $324 million in total; award examples range $199,940–$3,873,662 | Between cycles Usually opens around Spring 2027, based on past rounds | Only for fire departments (incl. nonprofit volunteer companies) and volunteer firefighter groups. Hiring grants need a 25% to 65% local share. | Official page ↗ |
State programs
| Program | Amount | Status | Who can apply | Official link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Kentucky Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant Kentucky Division of Forestry · Kentucky Verified Oct 16, 2026 | $1,000 to $5,000 (50/50 reimbursement) | Reopens, date not announced yet | Only for Kentucky rural fire departments (incl. nonprofit departments) serving 10,000 people or fewer. 50/50 reimbursement. | Official page ↗ |
Oregon Volunteer Fire Capacity Grant Oregon Department of Forestry · Oregon Verified Oct 16, 2026 | Up to $15,000 (1:1 match, cash or in-kind) | Between cycles Usually opens around Spring 2027, based on past rounds | Only for Oregon rural fire agencies (incl. nonprofit departments) whose area has no city of 10,000+. 1:1 match; SAM.gov UEI. | Official page ↗ |
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Straight answers
Can a volunteer fire department apply for these?
Most of them, yes. Several are only for volunteer or mostly volunteer departments. The "Who can apply" line on each row gives the limits, such as the population you serve, how many paid members you have, or a match you would need to put up.
Do we pay these back?
No. Grants are not loans. Each row shows the date we last checked it against the funder's own page.
Find out which of these fit your department
This page can't see your department. The 3-minute quiz can. Pick nonprofit, then "Fire department, EMS or rescue squad," and it checks your state against every program here.
See grants for my department