FIRE & EMERGENCY SERVICES GRANTS
Cal OES: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)
Deadline: NOI accepted on a rolling basis, funding renewed tbd
Amount: Project max is unspecified. $150,000 for single jurisdiction plan, $250,000 for multi-jurisdiction
plan.
Match: Generally, HMA funds may be used to pay up to 75% of the eligible activity costs. The remaining 25%
of eligible activity costs are derived from non-Federal sources
Eligibility: States, local communities and tribal governments
https://www.caloes.ca.gov/cal-oes-divisions/recovery/disaster-mitigatio…
on-grant-program
Funding Priorities:
●Local Hazard Mitigation Plans (LHMP) updates that will expire within 24 months.
●All other LHMP updates.
●Shovel ready projects with a high level of design that can begin construction within 90 days of FEMA
approval, in declared counties.
●Shovel ready projects with a high level of design that can begin constructions within 90 days of FEMA
approval, in all other counties.
●Whole community risk reduction/large critical infrastructure wildfire projects.
●Whole community risk reduction/large critical infrastructure projects for other hazard types.
●Wildfire projects in any county.
●All hazard type projects in any county.
●Planning related activities.
●Five percent (5%) Initiative projects.
California Fire Foundation: Statewide Grant Cycle
Deadline: LA + Ventura County applications currently open
Amount: $25,000
Eligibility: California-based fire departments, local firefighter associations, federally-recognized tribes, and
nonprofit community organizations
URL:
https://www.cafirefoundation.org/what-we-do/for-grant-seekers/funding-o…
ent&eId=0a5bc418-fc9b-4809-a724-f28a155cfadd
Summary: Applicants whose projects focus on wildfire and other climate-related prevention and preparedness
efforts are eligible to receive up to $25K, with requests outside this range will be considered on an as-needed
basis.
Funding Focus Areas:
· Vegetation Mitigation & Fuels Reduction
· Education, Planning, and/or Community Outreach Campaigns
· Personal Protective Equipment or Specialized Firefighting Equipment
Leary Firefighters Foundation: Jeremiah Lucey Grant Program
Deadline: August 15, annually (LOI)
Amount: $2,500 to $25,000
Match: No
Eligibility: Paid and volunteer fire departments
https://learyfirefighters.org/grant/
The Leary Firefighters Foundation is dedicated to enhancing fire departments across the United States.
Through the Jeremiah Lucey Grant Program, the Foundation provides funding to paid and volunteer fire
departments throughout the country in the following areas: training to enhance the professional development of
departments; equipment, so that fire departments are outfitted with the best possible equipment to help keep
firefighters and the communities they serve safe; and technology, to ensure that fire departments update along
with technological advances.
Brothers Helping Brothers
Deadline: Ongoing
Amount: Varies. Award examples vary between $500 and $13,000
Eligibility: Fire departments and EMS organizations serving a population of less than 10,000 and less than 30
employees with majority as volunteer or paid call
https://www.brothershelpingbrothers.org/
https://www.brothershelpingbrothers.org/grant-request/
Brothers Helping Brothers helps small and rural fire departments throughout the U.S. with equipment needs by
donating vital life-saving tools. Equipment grants as well as used equipment donations are provided.
Marathon Petroleum Foundation
Deadline: Ongoing
Amount: Not specified
Match: No
Eligibility: Nonprofits, federal, state or local government entity in communities where company has significant
presence
https://www.marathonpetroleum.com/Sustainability/Community-Investment/
Marathon provides funding for projects in the following categories:
• Environmental conservation and
• Public safety
Firefighters Charitable Foundation
Deadline: Continuous
Amount: Varies
Match: None
Eligibility: Grants are given to assist local fire/disaster victims, fire prevention education, volunteer fire
department equipment purchase, and community safety programs
https://www.ffcf.org/fire-departments
Assists fire and disaster victims; and supports
Volunteer Fire Departments. Grants offered for the following needs/programs: AED (Automatic External
Defibrillator); Fire Department Equipment Program; Community Smoke Detector Program; and the Juvenile
Fire-setter Prevention and Intervention Program.
USDA: Community Wildfire Defense
Deadline: TBD March 2026
Amount:The maximum amount of Federal funding awarded to any one community or Tribe via this competitive
process is:
●$250,000 for the creation or updating of a Community Wildfire Protection Plan.
●$10 million for a project described within a Community Wildfire Protection Plan less than 10 years old.
●For planning purposes, the total Federal funding available through the CWDG competitive process could
be up to $250 million for this second round.
Eligibility: Entities eligible to apply for at-risk communities for funding under the CWDG include:
●Units of local governments representing communities located in an area with a risk of wildfires,
●Indian Tribes (please apply through either the Indian Tribes/Alaska Native Corporations specific notice
or the applicable regional notice),
●Non-profit organizations including homeowner associations that assist such communities,
●State forestry agencies (including U.S. territories and interests), and
●Alaska Native Corporations (please apply through either the Indian Tribes/Alaska Native Corporations
specific notice or the applicable regional notice).
Match: Yes
https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/fire/grants
This program, which was authorized by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, prioritizes at-risk communities in an
area identified as having high or very high wildfire hazard potential, are low-income, or have been impacted by a
severe disaster that affects the risk of wildfire. More details on these three priorities can be found in the Notices of
Funding Opportunity (NOFOs) below.
The program provides funding to communities for two primary purposes:
●Develop and revise Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPP).
●Implement projects described in a Community Wildfire Protection Plan that is less than ten years old.
The Community Wildfire Defense Grant Program also helps communities in the wildland urban interface (WUI)
implement the three goals of the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy.
Restore and Maintain Landscapes: Landscapes across all jurisdictions are resilient to fire-related disturbances,
in accordance with management objectives.
Create Fire Adapted Communities: Human populations and infrastructure can better withstand a wildfire
without loss of life and property.
Improve Wildfire Response: All jurisdictions participate in making and implementing safe, effective, efficient
risk-based wildfire management decisions.
**Priority to disadvantaged communities
CalFIRE: Rural Fire Capacity (RFC) Grant:
Deadline: TBD March 2026
Amount: $500 to $20,000
Match: 50%
Federally-funded grant program that allows California to provide local and rural fire departments with minor
firefighting, training, communications and safety equipment for their volunteer firefighters. The RFC Program is
not intended for major equipment (fire engines, vehicles, etc) or Capital repairs. The RFC Program has a 50/50
match requirement which means that the applying department must be able to meet the intended grant award,
dollar for dollar. Awards for departments are set at a minimum of $500 with a maximum of $20,000. Amounts
may be adjusted based on the grant funding available.
Link: https://www.grants.ca.gov/grants/rural-fire-capacity/#:~:text=The%20
Rural%20Fire% 2 0 Capacity%20(RFC,equipment%20for%20the%20 volunteer%20 firefighters
FEMA: Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER)
Estimated Deadline: Spring 2026
Amount: No minimum or maximum amounts. $360 million for the entire program.
Match: 25%
Eligibility: Fire departments
Program URL: https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/firefighters/safer
Summary: The SAFER Program provides funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter
interest organizations to assist in increasing the number of firefighters to help communities meet industry
minimum standards and attain 24-hour staffing to provide adequate fire protection from fire and fire-related
hazards, and to fulfill traditional missions of fire departments. The objectives of the SAFER Program are to
assist local fire departments with staffing and deployment capabilities to respond to emergencies and ensure
that communities have adequate protection from fire and fire-related hazards. Local fire departments
accomplish this by improving staffing and deployment capabilities, so they may more effectively and safely
respond to emergencies. With enhanced staffing levels, recipients should experience a reduction in response
times and an increase in the number of trained personnel assembled at the incident scene.
Eligibility Criteria
Hiring Activity
The Hiring Activity offers grants to support applications to hire new, additional firefighters (or to change the
status of part-time or paid-on-call firefighters to full-time firefighters), rehire laid off firefighters, or to retain
firefighters facing layoff. National, regional, state, local, tribal, and nonprofit interest organizations
representing the interests of volunteer firefighters are not eligible to receive a SAFER Program award under
the Hiring Activity
R&R Activity
The R&R Activity offers grants to support applications to assist fire departments with the recruitment and
retention of volunteer firefighters who are involved with or trained in the operations of firefighting and
emergency response. Career fire departments are not eligible to apply for funding under the R&R Activity.
FEMA: Fire Prevention & Safety (FP&S)
Estimated Deadline: Spring 2026
Amount: Up to $1.5 million
Match: Yes - 5%
Eligibility: Fire departments, nonprofits, research foundations, public safety institutes, public health,
occupational health, and injury prevention institutions
Program URL: https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/firefighters/safety-awards
Summary: The FP&S Program provides financial assistance for fire prevention programs and firefighter
health and safety research and development such as clinical studies that address behavioral, social science, and
cultural research.
The funding categories for FP&S are:
1. Community Risk Reduction;
2. Wildfire Risk Reduction;
3. Code Enforcement/Awareness;
4. Fire & Arson Investigation; and
5. National/State/Regional Programs and Projects.
The funding categories for R&D are:
1. Clinical Studies;
2. Technology and Product Development;
3. Database System Development;
4. Preliminary Studies; and,
5. Early Career Investigator.
FP&S Activities
The FP&S Activity is designed to reach high-risk target groups and mitigate the incidence of death and injuries
caused by fire and fire-related hazards. The five project categories eligible for funding under this activity are:
1. Community Risk Reduction;
2. Wildfire Risk Reduction;
3. Code Enforcement/Awareness;
4. Fire & Arson Investigation; and
5. National/State/Regional Programs and Projects.
R&D Activities
The R&D Activity is aimed at improving firefighter safety, health, or well-being through research and
development that reduces firefighter fatalities and injuries. The five project categories eligible for funding
under this activity are:
1. Clinical Studies;
2.Technology and Product Development;
3. Database System Development;
4. Preliminary Studies; and,
5. Early Career Investigator.
CalFire: Wildfire Prevention Grants
Estimated Deadline: Summer 2026
Amount: The recommended funding amount is $3 million or less. Project equipment not to exceed a
cumulative total of $750,000.
Match: Not required, but encouraged
Link: https://www.fire.ca.gov/what-we-do/grants/wildfire-prevention-grants
The CAL FIRE Wildfire Prevention (WP) Grants Program provides competitive funding to reduce the risk of
wildfires and increase the resiliency of California’s communities. Up to $135 million in FY25–26 funding is
available from both California Climate Investments (CCI) and Proposition 4 bond funds. Projects must focus
on Hazardous Fuels Reduction, Wildfire Prevention Planning, or Wildfire Prevention Education.
Priority is given to projects benefiting disadvantaged or severely disadvantaged communities, reducing GHG
emissions, maintaining existing fuels reduction projects, or increasing home/community hardening. All
applicants must demonstrate project readiness and the capacity to complete the work on time and within
budget. CEQA/NEPA compliance must be met within 12 months of grant execution.
Eligible Activities:
●Hazardous fuels reduction (e.g., vegetation clearing, fuel breaks, tree thinning, prescribed grazing)
●Wildfire prevention planning (e.g., CWPPs, evacuation plans)
●Wildfire prevention education and outreach
CA FireSafe Council: State Fire Capacity (SFC) Grant
Estimated Deadline: TBD August 2026
Amount: up to $225,000
Match: 1:1.5
Eligibility: Non-profit Organizations, Resource Conservation Districts, Municipalities: Towns and Cities and
Counties, Joint-Powers Authorities, Special Districts, et al.
https://cafiresafecouncil.org/grants-and-funding/2025-sfc/
The California Fire Safe Council (CFSC) is pleased to announce the availability of $702,474 in grant funds
to support hazardous fuels reduction, community wildfire prevention planning, and education and mitigation
activities across California through the 2025 State Fire Capacity (SFC) Grant Program. Please click here to
view the full funding announcement. Funding for the 2025 State Fire Capacity Grant Program is provided for
CFSC from the Cooperative Fire Program of the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), Department of Agriculture,
Pacific Southwest Region. The Federal Assistance Listing (formerly Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance –
CFDA) number and name are 10.698 Cooperative Fire Program.
2025 SFC Grant Program Goals & Strategy:
The State Fire Capacity Program serves as a mechanism to help California communities respond to the
growing concern over catastrophic wildfire and exemplify efforts to create fire-adapted communities through:
■ Hazardous fuels reduction and maintenance projects on non-federal lands.
■ Community Wildfire Protection Plans and other wildfire mitigation plans or assessments.
■ Wildfire prevention and mitigation education and outreach.
FM Global:Fire Prevention Grant Program
Estimated Deadline: TBD September 2026
Amount: $5,000
Match: No
Eligibility: Governmental unit or nonprofit
https://fs20.formsite.com/fmgrants/zwzinifw8r/index
Grants of 5,000 USD will be awarded to improve the response of fire service organizations by ensuring they have
access to the necessary resources for pre-incident planning. This includes funding for technology, training,
equipment, and other critical components that contribute to the development of detailed, actionable plans tailored
to the unique needs and risks of their respective communities.
Grant funds may be used for a variety of purposes, including but not limited to:
• Acquisition of pre-incident planning software and technologies.
• Training and workshops for personnel on effective planning techniques.
• Development of detailed maps, blueprints, and databases of high-risk areas.
• Conducting risk assessments and simulations to refine response strategies.
CalFIRE: Urban and Community Forestry Grant
Deadline: TBD
Amount: $150,000 to $1.5M (or up to $3M if the project is regional)
Match: No
https://www.fire.ca.gov/what-we-do/grants/urban-and-community-forestry-…
The Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program strives to increase the long-term benefits trees provide,
improve the public’s understanding and appreciation of urban trees, and advance urban forest management and
tree care. Projects MUST serve disadvantaged and/or low-income communities.
USDA: Urban and Community Forestry Grant
Deadline: TBD
Amount: The minimum Federal funding amount for projects is $100,000. The maximum Federal funding limit
is $50,000,000.
Match: 50%, but can be waived if a severely disadvantaged community
https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/urban-forests/ucf
California Consulting’s Podcast about this grant:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2YF7nJ60A3PfUzGbbJH6zg?si=7e97ab0584e2…
Inflation Reduction Action of 2022, Public Law No: 117-169. Subtitle D, Sec. 23003 (a). State and Private
Forestry Conservation Programs, (2) Urban and Community Forestry (2022-2031) to provide multiyear,
programmatic, competitive grants for tree planting and related activities, with a priority for projects that benefit
underserved populations and areas through the Urban and Community Forestry Assistance program established
under section 9(c) of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act Of 1978
FEMA: Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program
Deadline: TBD
Amount: Around $500,000
Match: None
https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/regional-catastrophic#nofos
The Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program (RCPGP) plays an important role in the implementation
of the National Preparedness System. RCPGP supports the building of core capabilities essential to achieving the
National Preparedness Goal of a secure and resilient nation by providing resources to close known capability gaps
in Housing and Logistics and Supply Chain Management, encouraging innovative regional solutions to issues
related to catastrophic incidents, and building on existing regional efforts.
CNRA: Community Wildfire Prevention and Mitigation
Deadline: TBD
Amount: up to $500,000
Match: No
https://resources.ca.gov/Initiatives/Community-Wildfire-Prevention-and-…
As part of the State of California’s effort to strengthen community-wide resilience against wildfires, the California
Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) has partnered with the California Department of Forestry
and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) to develop a state home hardening initiative to retrofit, harden, and create
defensible space for homes at high risk to wildfires, focusing on high socially-vulnerability communities and
providing financial assistance for low- and moderate-income households. Governor Gavin Newsom signed
Assembly Bill 38 in 2019 authorizing Cal OES and CAL FIRE to enter into a joint powers agreement to oversee
the development and implementation of the Program.
Known as the Home Hardening Program, this effort encourages cost-effective wildfire resilience measures to
create fire-resistant homes, businesses, public buildings, and public spaces. Mitigation measures such as home
hardening, vegetation management, defensible space, and other fuel modification activities provide neighborhood
or community-wide benefits against wildfire.
Cal OES: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) Post-Fire
Deadline: TBD
Amount: $11 million total available
Match: 25% (can be in-kind contributions)
Eligibility: Local governments, including counties, cities, special districts, and tribal governments in eligible
counties: San Bernardino, Butte, Riverside, Mariposa, Tehama, Kern, Los Angeles, and Lake. The project must
align with one of the following categories:
●Wildfire Mitigation
●Infrastructure Retrofit
●Soil and Slope Stabilization
●Post-Fire Flood Prevention
The risk (e.g., wildfire risk) must be identified in the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP), though the
specific project does not need to be listed. Projects in declared counties are prioritized, and a high level of
project design is encouraged to ensure quick start after FEMA approval.
Link: Cal OES Hazard Mitigation Grant Program
Purpose: The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) Post-Fire program provides funding to mitigate risks
after a wildfire disaster, specifically targeting areas vulnerable to erosion, flooding, and future fires. Eligible
projects include wildfire mitigation, retrofitting of infrastructure to withstand future disasters, and stabilizing
soil and slopes to prevent post-fire floods and landslides. The aim is to enhance community resilience and
prevent future damage from disasters.