FEMA has announced several new grant opportunities that all departments should consider:

1.  The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant application period is currently open through May 15. This grant program provides funding for the hiring of paid personnel and for volunteer recruitment and retention programs.
2.  The Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) grant application period will open Monday, April 27, and be open through Friday, May 29. This grant program provides funding for departments to enhance their community risk reductions programs (fire prevention).
3.  As part of the national CARES Act, FEMA was allocated $100 million to be distributed under a special Assistance to Firefighters program (AFG-S). This program provides funding for the procurement of specialize personal protective equipment (PPE, including gowns, masks, coveralls, gloves, footwear covers, respirators). A unique factor in this program is that any expenditure since January 1, 2020 is eligible for reimbursement as well as the additional purchase of PPE used for response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This grant application period has a short cycle and will be open from Tuesday, April 28 through Friday, May 15.

Additional information on each of these grants can be found at https://www.fema.gov/welcome-assistance-firefighters-grant-program

If you have questions concerning eligibility or how to apply, please contact me at dlewis@msfa.org

Thank you and good luck,
David Lewis, Chairman, MSFA Grants Committee