The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently opened the application period for three grant programs that assist firefighters and other first responders. The agency will award a total of $648 million.
“When a disaster strikes, firefighters and other first responders are often the first ones on the scene, making them a critical component of every community’s emergency response capabilities,” Robert Fenton, senior official performing the duties of FEMA administrator, said. “These heroes put their lives on the line every day for all of us, and FEMA is proud to support them.”
The three grant programs are:
The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response program will award $324 million to fire departments and volunteer firefighter-interest-organizations to pay salaries and recruit and retain more people.
The Assistance to Firefighters Grants program will award $291.6 million to fire departments and other emergency medical services agencies to acquire personal protective equipment and emergency response vehicles. Funding also can be used for health, wellness and resiliency initiatives.
The Fire Prevention and Safety grant program will award $32.4 million to fire departments and nonprofit organizations, academic and other research-oriented institutions for research and clinical studies focused on community fire prevention and firefighter safety, health and well-being.
The application period will close on June 22.