Logo courtesy of Emergency Federal Emergency Management Agency News Release

OAKLAND, CA (MPG) – During the week of Sept. 21, FEMA awarded more than $19 million in grant funding for fire departments and other first responder organizations in Arizona, California, Hawai‘i and Nevada. FEMA disburses this money to support firefighters and other emergency personnel because they are often the first ones on the scene when disaster strikes. They play an essential role in keeping American communities safe. By empowering these emergency responders to strengthen and expand their capacity, FEMA is contributing to the nation’s overall resilience.

FEMA is administering these funds through its three Fiscal Year 2025 fire grant programs: the Assistance to Firefighters Grants, Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant program, and Fire Prevention and Safety grant program. FEMA published the funding opportunities in May 2026, making $648 million available across all three programs. Over the next week, FEMA will continue awarding these funds directly to fire departments, first responder agencies, and other organizations focused on fire prevention and firefighter safety.

The funding announced today in Arizona, California, Nevada and Hawai‘i includes more than $12 million under FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters Grants. Recipients can use this money to outfit responders with compliant personal protective equipment, acquire emergency response vehicles and develop health, wellness and resiliency initiatives to prepare responders for incidents.

Examples of awards include more than $952,000 to City of Manteca in Manteca, CA; more than $788,000 to the City and County of Honolulu in Honolulu, HI; nearly $720,000 to San Simon Fire District in San Simon, AZ .

FEMA also awarded more than $4.7 million under its Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant program. Recipients can use the money to cover personnel costs for firefighters, as well as recruitment efforts and retention programs.

Examples of awards include more than $910,000 to the City of Sparks in Sparks, NV; more than $842,000 to the Rincon Valley Fire District in Vail, AZ; more than $651,000 to Five Cities Fire Authority in Arroyo Grande, CA.

FEMA also awarded more than $2.5 million under its Fire Prevention and Safety grant program. Recipients can use the money to fund scientific research and technology development that will strengthen community fire prevention programs and/or improve firefighter safety, health and well-being.

Examples of awards include more than $724,000 to the Fire Department Safety Officers Association in Chandler, AZ; more than $458,000 to the Cambria Fire Department in Cambria, CA; more than $152,000 to the City of Las Vegas in Las Vegas, NV.

FEMA will continue awarding funding for its Fiscal Year 2025 fire grant programs over the next week. For information on all the awards issued thus far, visit the fire grants programs webpages: Assistance to Firefighters Grants, Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response and Fire Prevention and Safety.