FEMA firefighter jobs grants for hiring, recruitment, and retention of paid and volunteer personnel
Over $3 billion in fire jobs grants awarded since 2017
Current application period: FY 2024
Update from FEMA, January 2025: “The FY 2024 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant and the Fire Prevention & Safety grant application period is expected to open in late January 2025.”
We’ll update details on dates, deadlines, and NOFO/grant guidelines once they’re available.
Application period opens
TBA
Application deadline
TBA
Questions about SAFER or your application?
Our grant consultants are here
Program information
About SAFER fire grants
SAFER is a federal fire services grant program provided via FEMA and DHS. Through SAFER, fire departments nationwide have been able to recruit and hire firefighters. From FY 2017 through FY 2023 alone, SAFER has awarded 2,822 fire jobs grants, totaling $3,384,880,288.
What does SAFER do?
According to FEMA, “The goal of SAFER is to enhance the local fire departments’ abilities to comply with staffing, response and operational standards established by the NFPA (NFPA 1710 and/or NFPA 1720).”
Since the program’s first awards in 2005, SAFER has provided over $5.2 billion in fire jobs grants for fire departments around the USA, including small, large, rural, and urban departments. This direct funding helps fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations add more firefighters, so that they can:
- Reach industry minimum standards
- Attain 24-hour staffing to provide adequate fire protection from fire and fire-related hazards
- Fulfill traditional missions of fire departments
Additionally, SAFER funds have made it possible for fire departments not only to recruit and hire firefighters, but to:
- Provide critically needed resources that equip and train emergency personnel to recognized standards
- Enhance operational efficiencies
- Foster interoperability, and
- Support community resilience
As of Aug. 23, 2024, under the FY 2023 program, FEMA has awarded 100 SAFER fire jobs grants, totaling $36.4 million.
How to apply
Applicants must set up and maintain an active account in SAM.gov.
To apply for SAFER, use FEMA GO.
Questions about SAFER or your application?
Our grant consultants are here