Grants - RSS

Over 300 Mass. FDs share $5M in grants for new equipment

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 19:35:03 GMT

Essex firefighters at a fire in Gloucester in March 2026.

Essex, MA Fire Department/Facebook

By Andrea Holbrook and Stephen Hagan
Gloucester Daily Times

ESSEX, Mass. — The fire departments in Gloucester and Essex are among 307 across Massachusetts that will share $5 million in grants to purchase new safety equipment, the Healey-Driscoll administration said Tuesday.

“Massachusetts firefighters answer the call in every corner of our state and our job is to make sure they have what they need to do it safely,” said Gov. Maura Healey. “We’re investing in the equipment that protects them on the front lines and strengthening departments in more than 300 communities so they can continue protecting all of us.”

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Fire departments were invited to apply to the Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant program, which provides reimbursement on purchases of nearly 100 different types of equipment.

The Gloucester Fire Department received $10,893.34 while the Essex department received $12,420.

Essex will use its grant to to purchase new up-to-date protective pants, jackets, boots and helmets.

Chief Christian Hassel said as a call department, Essex firefighters may start with used gear but as new members progress through training offered by the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy, the equipment becomes more up to date.

“This grant will allow us to purchase new personal protective gear, ensuring that our firefighters remain properly equipped for the demands of today’s emergency response environment,” Hassel said.

“It’s the gear we wear when we’re approaching a fire,” he said. “Equipment is sturdy but it can become damaged.”

There are 48 staff members and nine officers, including Hassel, on the Essex force.

Hassel said the grant money will enable the Fire Department to adapt and provide the level of services residents in Essex deserve.

Gloucester Chief Eric Smith said the plan for his department’s grant is to order some specific vehicle stabilization equipment (pairs of struts) for both the city’s ladder trucks.

“This replaces an old system that is beyond its serviceable life and also puts them on the reserve ladder truck,” he said.

The chief said Lt. Jak Letien and Capt. Dave Barrett did “solid work” in determining what the department needed that would be eligible for purchase under the grant program.

“Dave mentored Jak on the process as Dave has done the same and was successful as well,” Smith said. “They did all the work to get this application put together, they submitted the grant and we now have an award of almost $11,000 that will cover four of these items so we can equip both ladder trucks as noted.”

The Healey-Driscoll administration said the purchase of eligible equipment in many cases will help departments attain compliance with Occupational Safety & Health Administration or National Fire Protection Association safety standards.

“The Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant program funds the tools, gear, and equipment that our firefighters use to protect themselves, each other, and the residents of their communities,” State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine said. “It’s a smart investment in safety for the fire service and the Commonwealth.”

Looking to navigate the complexities of grants funding? Lexipol is your go-to resource for state-specific, fully developed grants services that can help fund your needs. Find out more about our grants services here.

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© 2026 the Gloucester Daily Times (Gloucester, Mass.).
Visit www.gloucestertimes.com.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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'A Hustle Worth Having': IAFC campaign aims to recruit next generation of volunteer firefighter

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 12:36:25 GMT

MCLEAN, Va. — The International Association of Fire Chiefs is launching a national recruitment campaign aimed at attracting the next generation of volunteer firefighters to serve communities across the country.

The effort comes as volunteer staffing remains critical to fire and EMS response nationwide. More than 60% of U.S. fire and EMS departments are staffed by volunteers, and in some states that figure tops 80%, according to an IAFC press release.

Fire departments are facing growing challenges in maintaining minimum staffing levels, the association said, warning that continued declines in volunteer ranks could worsen response times and create broader public safety concerns as call volumes continue to rise.

The campaign, titled “A Hustle Worth Having,” is aimed at Gen Z and younger millennials who may not have previously considered serving as volunteer firefighters.

According to the IAFC, the national effort uses photos, video public service announcements and an interactive website to frame volunteer firefighting as both community service and a meaningful “side hustle.” The campaign is designed to encourage younger audiences to see the role as a way to contribute to something larger than themselves.

“With the growing demand for emergency response, and a decline in those stepping up and serving, this unified, national recruitment campaign comes at a critical moment for the fire service,” IAFC Volunteer & Combination Officers Section Board Member and Laramie County Fire Authority Fire Chief Jason Caughey said. “Many people in our communities who are served by these volunteers do not realize when they call for help, a volunteer is the person who is answering their call. We hope this campaign educates our communities on volunteer firefighters and the vital role they play in maintaining public safety in communities across the nation.”

The national recruitment campaign is funded through a FEMA Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant and was developed over several months using data and research gathered from firefighters and emergency responders across the country.

“Like many volunteer departments, we recognize the vital role our team plays in keeping our communities safe, which is why firefighters in our region were eager to lend our voices in support of this campaign,” Cranberry Township Volunteer Fire Chief Scott Garing said. “Our volunteers come from a variety of backgrounds and find a strong sense of connection and community when they serve together. They are committed to spreading the message that this is a job that pays in fulfillment to serve others.”

Departments with high numbers of volunteer responders will help carry the campaign locally through media outreach, PSAs, digital ads and customizable toolkits. The IAFC said the effort is meant to give departments tools to strengthen recruitment and support long-term public safety.

Looking to navigate the complexities of grants funding? Lexipol is your go-to resource for state-specific, fully developed grants services that can help fund your needs. Find out more about our grants services here.

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Tenn. awards $5 million in rescue squad grants to 115 agencies

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 13:36:01 GMT

Members of the Kingsport Lifesaving Crew train on new rope rescue equipment.

Kingsport Lifesaving Crew/Facebook

By Robert Sorrell
Bristol Herald Courier

BRISTOL, Tenn. — Several local rescue squads and fire departments in Tennessee will receive grant funding through the Rescue Squad Grant Program.

The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance and the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office announced Thursday that 115 agencies will receive grants totaling $5 million in 2026. Local agencies to receive the grants include the Bristol Tennessee Fire Department, Piney Flats Volunteer Fire Department, Johnson City Fire Department and the Kingsport Lifesaving and First Aid Crew.

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In 2022, Governor Bill Lee and the General Assembly approved funding for the program to purchase lifesaving equipment for Tennessee rescue squads, according to the state’s press release. Grant awards may be used to purchase equipment for incident response and to protect the lives of squad members. Through two grant cycles, $5 million in grant funding has previously been provided to rescue squads.

“It is an honor to provide resources to Tennessee’s rescue squads and help fulfill Governor Lee’s vision of strengthening Tennessee’s rural communities,” said TDCI Commissioner and Tennessee State Fire Marshal Carter Lawrence . “I am proud that our team is supporting the mission of these critical organizations so that they may continue protecting lives and property.”

Rescue squads across the state provide a range of specialized services, including extrication, structural collapse response, and swift water rescue.

“Tennessee rescue squads provide valuable lifesaving services in their communities, and it is crucial that they have the equipment they need to safely complete their missions,” said Assistant Commissioner for Fire Prevention Mike Bell . “I want to congratulate all of the grant recipients, and I wish them safety and success in the years ahead.”

Looking to navigate the complexities of grants funding? Lexipol is your go-to resource for state-specific, fully developed grants services that can help fund your needs. Find out more about our grants services here.

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Wis. law helps fire departments buy soy-based, PFAS-free foam

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 11:07:30 GMT

By Chris Vetter
The Leader-Telegram

MENOMONIE, Wis. — Legislation that supports the use of soybean-based fire suppression products was signed into law Thursday, advancing an innovative solution that strengthens public safety while also supporting Wisconsin agriculture, as farmers have struggled to sell their products to foreign markets.

Soybeans can be used to make a ‘soy foam’ that is free of PFAS “forever chemicals” that would be used in firefighting.

The law, signed by Gov. Tony Evers, allows fire departments to use existing state grant funding to purchase fire suppression products derived from soybeans. By expanding eligibility within the Department of Natural Resources’ fire suppression grant program, the law gives departments more flexibility to adopt newer, safer technologies as they update equipment and respond to evolving safety standards. Fire departments may use grant funds to cover up to 50% of the cost of soybean-derived fire suppressants, in addition to fire-resistant clothing and equipment.

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State Rep. Clint Moses (R- Menomonie ) introduced the bill, and he joined Evers at the bill-signing ceremony. He noted that the Chippewa Valley Technical College was already studying soybean-based fire suppressants and he read about the positives of the product.

“It’s proven to be quite effective, even in cold temperatures,” Moses told the Leader-Telegram. “It frees up local fire departments to (purchase) it. It’s also good for the farmers, because it’s another market for selling their soybeans.”

Moses came across a European trade publication highlighting the development of plant-based firefighting alternatives, and saw the positives for both firefighters and farmers.

“After reading about this innovation, it was clear Wisconsin was well-positioned to use these products,” Moses said in his press release touting the measure. “We have the farmers, the research, and the need for safer alternatives — this bill brings those pieces together.”

Traditional firefighting foams have often relied on chemicals that raise environmental and health concerns, particularly for firefighters and water systems. Soybean-based alternatives offer a biodegradable, non-toxic option that can reduce long-term impacts while still meeting performance needs in fire suppression. Soy-based and other PFAS-free fire suppression alternatives are already being evaluated and used in fire service applications across Wisconsin. This work ensures that soy-based suppression agents meet the operational needs of fire departments while maintaining strong safety and environmental standards.

“It’s a straightforward idea with real benefits, and I’m proud to see it signed into law,” Moses said.

Moses noted the measure is backed by the Wisconsin Soybean Association.

U.S. farmers grew $60.7 billion worth of soybeans, or nearly 4.3 billion bushels, in the 2022-2023 marketing year, according to the American Soybean Association. Just over half were exported.

In past years, China has purchased about $12 billion worth of U.S. soybeans. However, that country has put a 20% retaliatory tariff on U.S. soybeans.

The forest fire suppression grant program dollars are available to cities, villages, towns, counties and fire suppression organizations that enter into a written agreement to assist DNR in the suppression of forest fires when requested. A total of $448,000 in forestry grants are available for these grants in each year of the 2025-27 biennium, which may be supplemented by federal funds received through the DNR.

Traditional firefighting foams have contained PFAS chemicals that not only persist in the environment but have been linked to an increased cancer risks for firefighters. The Firefighter Cancer Support Network reports that firefighters nationwide have a 68% higher chance of getting cancer than the average person.

In 2020, the DNR banned the use of PFAS-based firefighting foams, the data from Moses’ office states. But fire departments have struggled to find suitable replacements due to the effectiveness of the foams at putting out severe liquid fuel fires.

Ten fire departments in Wisconsin currently use soy foam. This foam is not only an excellent Class A wetting agent and fire retardant for controlled burns, but is also an effective Class B firefighting foam used to put out fuel fires and provide vapor suppression. However, many fire departments are not able to purchase the product because state statute doesn’t allow products derived from soybean to be purchased under the grant program they utilize.

Chippewa Valley Technical College does research to find alternatives to PFAS-based fire suppressant materials. Cross Plains Solutions has developed a fire suppressant that uses soybeans as the main ingredient. Soybean flour is a main ingredient for a fire suppressant. Cross Plains Solutions has developed the fire suppressant from soybeans that is deemed PFAS-free and environmentally friendly.

What do you think about using soy-based, PFAS-free foam in fire suppression? Would your department consider making the switch if funding is available?

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$14K grant boosts heart health checks for Mass. firefighters

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 11:12:24 GMT

Amesbury firefighters participating in firefighter down, CPR training.

By Caitlin Dee
The Daily News of Newburyport

AMESBURY, Mass. — Keeping local firefighters heart healthy just got a little easier after the City Council recently authorized Amesbury Mayor Kassandra Gove to accept a grant that supports cardiac screenings for 17 members of the Amesbury Fire Department.

The $14,858 comes from the city’s health insurance provider, the Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association (MIIA).

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Amesbury Fire Chief Rob Serino called the funding “absolutely important” for his firefighters.

“It’s crazy the amount of increase in percentages that firefighters are at risk for cancer, for other illnesses, cardiac defects and cardiogenic issues, as well as stroke risk and everything,” he said.

Serino said he was glad to work with the organization to ensure these screenings.

“It’s amazing for us to get funding like this and I’m really happy to partner with MIIA to make this a reality, so that way we can start getting our members full-scale evaluations, and make sure that we’re taking care of our people, and that’s the biggest goal,” he said.

Jayne Brown , MIIA wellness program manager, said the organization was glad to give the significant grant to the department.

“Both of these screenings are expensive, so for us to help them pay for them, it’s just a really nice gift we can give back to them,” she said of the screening options offered through the grant.

Serino said Amesbury Fire Lt. David Carpentier wrote and applied for the grant, which was awarded in February.

“He’ll now work with MIIA to get all that stuff scheduled and work through getting it all processed,” he said.

The screenings are expected to take place in late spring and will be offered at the Amesbury Fire Department.

Due to the fact that only 17 of the department’s 39 firefighters will be able to be screened through the grant, Serino said participants will be chosen on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Though not all firefighters will be screened this year, Serino said the department hopes to see all members participate in a screening in the future.

“The goal is that we’re actually going to get everybody screened over the next couple of years. We’ll be working with MIIA to get more funding for this throughout the course of the next couple years,” he said.

Serino also said the council authorizing Gove to accept and expend the grant comes at a significant time for the firefighting community, making the news even better.

“This week is ‘First Responder Wellness Week’ so, actually, it’s great that the City Council got to approve it during this week, because I think that really shows the true stride and initiatives that we’re trying to push as both a department and community to make sure that we’re taking care of our public safety personnel,” he said, on Thursday.

Looking to navigate the complexities of grants funding? Lexipol is your go-to resource for state-specific, fully developed grants services that can help fund your needs. Find out more about our grants services here.

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© 2026 The Daily News of Newburyport (Newburyport, Mass.).
Visit www.newburyportnews.com.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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FEMA reopens $1 billion infrastructure grant program for disaster resilience projects

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 09:27:32 GMT

FILE - The Federal Emergency Management Agency headquarters is photographed in Washington, May 5, 2025.

Gene J. Puskar/AP

By Gabriela Aoun Angueira
Associated Press

WASHINGTON — The Federal Emergency Management Agency on Wednesday opened applications for a major resilience grant program that the agency canceled last year, less than three weeks after a federal judge ordered FEMA to make the funding available.

FEMA will make $1 billion available for the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program, which helps states, local governments, territories and tribes take on preparedness projects to harden against natural hazards like fires, floods, earthquakes and hurricanes.

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“When done correctly, mitigation activities save lives and reduce the cost of future disasters,” Karen S. Evans, FEMA’s acting leader, said in a statement announcing the resumption.

The funding announcement comes after FEMA under a previous acting leader, Cameron Hamilton, canceled the BRIC program last April, calling it “wasteful and ineffective.” That decision drew blowback from Republican and Democratic lawmakers as roughly $3.6 billion was halted for what amounted to several years’ worth of projects to protect infrastructure, communities and homes across the U.S.

The Trump administration has slashed disaster preparedness dollars across multiple FEMA programs. It’s been one year since President Donald Trump approved any state or tribe’s request for hazard mitigation funding, a typical add on to major disaster declarations.

Now, FEMA’s notice announcing the grant opportunity could signal the administration is embracing aspects of mitigation to safeguard against disasters, stating “BRIC aims to shift the focus of federal investments away from reactive post-disaster spending towards proactive infrastructure-focused hazard mitigation.”

A federal judge last December ruled that FEMA could not eliminate BRIC and ordered the agency to reverse course after a coalition of 22 Democratic-led states and the District of Columbia sued the Trump administration over the cancellation. U.S. District Judge Richard G. Stearns again ordered FEMA this month to take more steps toward restoring the program.

Last week, FEMA announced it would resume program support for BRIC awards when the DHS shutdown ended, saying that it had finished evaluating the program that Trump signed into law during his first term. Under former President Joe Biden, BRIC became too bureaucratic and “focused on ‘climate change’ initiatives,” FEMA said in a statement.

States will have 120 days to apply for the new funding opportunity, which covers fiscal years 2024 and 2025, since FEMA rescinded last year’s opportunity.

While the resumed funding restores access to badly needed assistance for some areas, FEMA imposed new rules that are in line with the Trump administration’s attempt to push more responsibility for disaster management on states.

The rules, which include the cessation of funding for hazard mitigation planning and non-financial direct technical assistance, could impact smaller communities with fewer resources and expertise.

“The program now maximizes state and local responsibility for resilience and risk reduction rather than federal investing in a wide range of activities,” a FEMA statement said.

Additional changes include prioritizing major infrastructure projects, with an emphasis on those that “are ready to implement,” according to FEMA, a criterion that could also be harder for small communities to meet.

However, the new grants also include certain caps on how much any single recipient can receive, and give some extra scoring weight to new applicants and “impoverished communities.” Those changes could be nods to past critiques that the BRIC program favored coastal states and was difficult for rural areas to access.

Meanwhile, it’s still unclear how quickly applicants can expect grant money they were already awarded.

Rep. Rick Larsen, a Democrat from Washington and ranking member on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, said in a statement Wednesday that BRIC’s cancellation delayed construction of a flood wall in his district. “Slowing states’ ability to prepare for disasters was shortsighted, and communities like Aberdeen paid the price,” Larsen said.

In the last decade, there have been almost as many weather- and climate-related disasters causing $1 billion in damages or more as there were in the 35 years preceding that, according to a Climate Central database.

Multiple studies have shown that preemptive investments in disaster readiness can yield significant savings. A 2024 study funded by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce found every $1 invested in disaster preparation saved $13 in economic impact, damage and cleanup costs.

Former FEMA officials, lawmakers and disaster survivors have expressed cautious hope that newly sworn in Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin could bring FEMA more stability after Kristi Noem’s tumultuous tenure. Mullin endorsed FEMA’s mission at his Senate confirmation hearing last week and said he backed efforts to make it more effective, speed up payments to state and local jurisdictions and better serve rural communities.

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Fanning the flames of funding: AI in fire department grant writing

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 17:33:00 GMT

Image created via ChatGPT

For personalized grant assistance, visit GrantFinder: The Ultimate Grant Search Tool.

Grant writing is a lifeline for many fire departments, fueling equipment purchases, training programs, and safety initiatives. Yet writing those proposals can be tedious and time-consuming, as firefighters juggle data, narratives, and strict funder guidelines alongside their busy shifts.

New AI writing tools promise to ease that burden: they can crunch numbers, draft text, polish grammar and tailor the message to funding priorities, all in a fraction of the time. For departments strapped for time, these tools are alluring. But no technology is magic.

Here, we’ll explore how AI can make grant writing faster and stronger, as well as the pitfalls to watch out for.

How AI tools, like ChatGPT, can help: Faster, clearer, and more focused writing

AI tools can turbocharge the grant writing process in several ways. A few examples:

Organize and understand data: AI can go through your call logs, incident reports, and budget sheets to find important trends and numbers. Instead of doing the math yourself, your team gets clear summaries, like total calls or response times, ready for your proposal.
Outline narratives: Use AI to generate ideas or phrasing based on key facts or bullet points. For example, if you’re listing the benefits of a new ladder truck, the tool can suggest language to help you get started or refine your message. It’s a helpful way to break through writer’s block and organize your ideas.
Improve clarity and polish: AI tools can check for typos, suggest clearer wording, and make sentences shorter. This gives you a more professional draft without much extra work.
Match funder priorities: AI can help you shape your proposal to fit what funders are looking for. Many grants focus on things like “firefighter safety” or “community risk reduction.” You can ask the AI to include these keywords in your text. Some tools can even suggest phrases from past successful proposals. By giving clear instructions, like “show how this equipment improves safety,” you make sure your proposal speaks to reviewers.

In short, AI works like a helpful writing partner. It handles numbers, expands your ideas, and helps you shape your message to fit funding goals.

Watch out for these challenges: Accuracy, authenticity and ethics

While AI is helpful, there are some important things to be careful about:

Inaccuracies: AI creates text based on patterns, not real data. Sometimes it makes up or gets facts wrong, like exaggerating your call volume. Always check any numbers or claims it gives you.
Generic tone and fluff: AI often produces plain, general language and sometimes adds unnecessary filler. It shouldn’t be used for your final proposal. Always revise the content to reflect your department’s voice and include specific examples, names, or local details to make it real and meaningful.
Overreliance: Use AI as a helper, not a replacement. Experienced grant writers know what matters most. Always have people review the proposal to make sure it matches your department’s real needs.
Privacy and ethics: Many AI tools work online, so do not share sensitive information with them. Before picking an AI tool, check if it has good privacy policies, like encrypted data transfer and clear rules about how your data is stored and used. Choose tools that do not keep or use your data to train their systems, and always read the privacy statement. Also, AI might repeat existing text, so check your final draft for plagiarism. Follow all grant rules about original writing and outside help.

Even with these challenges, AI can be a great help in writing if you use it carefully.

How to use AI responsibly: Practical tips

Here are some tips to get the most out of AI tools:

Use specific prompts: Give the AI clear and detailed instructions. For example, instead of saying “write about new radios,” say “Write a paragraph about a new radio system, include our annual call volume of 2,000, and explain how it helps firefighter communication.” The more details you give, the better the results.
Start with AI, finish with you: Let AI make an outline or first draft, but always review and improve it yourself. Use its work as a starting point, then add your department’s knowledge and focus before you finish.
Fact-check everything: Check every number and claim the AI gives you against your official records. Never assume an AI-generated fact is correct without checking.
Tell your story: AI can help you get started, but it’s your job to make the proposal reflect your department. Add real stories, quotes, and local details so the final version sounds like you and not a machine.
Protect sensitive data: Do not give AI confidential information. Use general terms for private details, like saying “over 5,000 annual calls” instead of exact addresses. Only use secure, trusted tools for private data.
Learn and share: Teach your team the basics of AI and how to give good prompts. Share what works and what you learn. The more your staff knows, the more you will benefit from these tools.

When you use AI together with your own knowledge, you get both time-saving help and the value of human experience.

Conclusion

Artificial intelligence is becoming a helpful assistant in fire stations. While it does not fight fires, it can help with the paperwork of grant applications. If you use it wisely, AI can highlight important data and improve your writing, so it connects with funders. In short, AI can help your fire department write proposals better and faster.

However, no computer program can replace the experience and passion of your team. The best grant proposals come from people who know the community and its needs. Use AI as a tool to speed up routine tasks, but always have people review and add the real stories only your crew can tell. Let AI handle the basic writing but double-check every fact and make sure your proposal feels authentic.

To get the resources your department needs, use AI wisely. Let it make the process faster but always add real stories and check your work carefully. By combining new technology with your own experience, you can improve your chances of success and help your community get the support it needs.

Equipment and training grants awarded to over 100 Ohio fire departments

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 15:23:48 GMT

Photo/Getty Images

Editorial staff
The Morning Journal

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio Department of Commerce Division of State Fire Marshal has announced the recipients — including Lorain area departments — of the 2026 Equipment Grant and Training Reimbursement Grant, underscoring the Division’s continued commitment to supporting Ohio’s fire service.

The funding from these grants will help equip fire departments throughout Ohio with the resources they need to purchase essential gear, strengthen training opportunities, and enhance overall readiness to protect Ohio communities, according to a news release.

| DOWNLOAD: Navigating fire service grants: From preparation to rescue-ready equipment

The Equipment Grant program is providing $2 million to 148 fire departments across 72 counties.

These funds will be used to purchase critical equipment such as protective turnout gear, rescue tools and other life-saving items that support firefighter safety and emergency response capabilities.

Oberlin Fire Department, $12,041
Florence Fire Department, $13,644
New London Fire Department, $15,000
Willard Fire Department, $14,280

In addition, the Training Reimbursement Grant is providing $500,000 to 198 departments in 75 counties. This funding helps offset the cost of firefighter training and certification courses, allowing departments to maintain high professional standards without placing additional strain on budgets.

LaGrange Fire and Rescue, $4,200
Oberlin Fire Department, $2,700
South Amherst Fire Department, $11,700
Wellington Community Fire Rescue, $8,700
Huron River JT Fire District, $675
Willard Fire Department, $1,150

“Ohio fire departments, large and small, career and volunteer, show unwavering dedication to the communities they serve,” said State Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon in the release. “These grants allow us to support that dedication by ensuring our firefighters have the tools, equipment, and training they need to perform their jobs safely and effectively.”

This announcement marks the latest round of investments the State Fire Marshal’s office has made in Ohio’s fire service during the most recent grant cycle.

In addition to the Equipment and Training Reimbursement grants, the office has awarded funding through the MARCS Grant and the recent Small County Volunteer Fire Department Grant, which was established by the General Assembly via House Bill 96.

In total, the Division has awarded $14.5 million in funding to fire departments across Ohio during this grant cycle.

Since 2020, the Division has awarded over $51.5 million in grant funding.

“These grants reflect our ongoing mission to strengthen fire protection in every corner of the state,” Reardon said. “We are proud to partner with Ohio’s fire service to ensure they have the resources they need to keep their communities safe.”

For additional details on grant funding and recipients, visit the Division’s interactive Grants Dashboard at com.ohio.gov/SFMDashboard.

Looking to navigate the complexities of grants funding? Lexipol is your go-to resource for state-specific, fully developed grants services that can help fund your needs. Find out more about our grants services here.

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A timeline of federal program changes impacting the fire service

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 19:38:00 GMT

Since taking office for his second term, President Donald Trump has implemented significant federal-level changes aimed at reducing the scale of the government. The changes are designed to centralize oversight, eliminate perceived inefficiencies and non “mission-critical” programs, and exert tighter control over public spending.

Several fire service programs and related agencies have been impacted by the changes, most notably the National Fire Academy, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and several National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) programs focused on firefighter health and safety.

What follows is a timeline that tracks the changes to program operations, staffing and funding. FireRescue1 will continue to update this content as the editors receive new and confirmed information. Email the editor to flag any inaccuracies or new information.

National Fire Academy

The NFA is operated by FEMA at the National Emergency Training Center (NETC). Governed by the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) as part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the National Fire Academy is the country’s preeminent federal fire training and education institution. The NFA campus is also home to the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial.

2026

April 13 — Fed. funding lapse disrupts NFFF Memorial Weekend: The Department of Homeland Security said it is making arrangements to ensure the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend can proceed as scheduled despite the shutdown. While the campus will remain closed to the general public until funding is restored, the ceremonies themselves will be accommodated.

April 8 — National Fire Sprinkler Association pushes to reopen NFA: The foundation said Memorial Weekend could be disrupted in 2026 because a DHS funding lapse has put access to the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial campus in doubt, potentially affecting plans to honor 204 firefighters from 43 states.

April 2 — Trump to sign Executive Order restoring pay to DHS workers: President Donald Trump said Thursday that he plans to sign an order soon to pay all Department of Homeland Security employees who have missed paychecks during the record-long partial government shutdown, now in its 48th day.

Feb. 14 — DHS shutdown: A second shutdown affecting DHS begins, closing the U.S. Fire Administration and the National Fire Academy.

2025

March 7 — NFA closure: FEMA announced that all in-person training offered by NFA in Emmitsburg, Maryland, was canceled until further notice. The notice sent to instructors, students and fire departments read:

“FEMA is currently in the process of evaluating agency programs and spending to ensure alignment with Administration priorities. While this review is underway, we will be cancelling all in person training offered by the National Fire Academy. For those courses that can continue virtually, we will do so, and you will receive more information soon. For those that are unable to proceed in a virtual format we will reevaluate rescheduling of courses once the review is complete.”

A follow-up notice to instructors clarified that, “Only virtual offerings that do not have an instructor and no funds are involved will be held. Please cancel all future travel until further notice.”

When asked why NFA classes were canceled, FEMA reinforced the issue of travel costs: “The bottom line is we are no longer paying for non-employee travel. We are only authorizing travel for mission-critical programs, this isn’t one.”

News of the NFA training cancellations prompted significant debate about the Administration’s approach to federal funding review. Dozens of fire service leaders voiced their objection to the closure, and prominent fire service organizations called for action to restore classes.

May 9 — Working to restore: While appearing in front of a Senate appropriations subcommittee, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristy Noem told committee members that her office was working on restoring funding to the National Fire Academy. In response to questions from Sen. Chris Van Hollen, Noem said “those grants and programs are being facilitated, and those dollars will be forwarded.”

May 22 — NFA to resume classes: FEMA announced that in-person training will resume at the NFA as well as the Center for Domestic Preparedness in Anniston, Ala., and the National Disaster and Emergency Management University in Emmitsburg. The statement from FEMA read: “Following a comprehensive review by FEMA and the U.S. Fire Administration, it was determined certain courses provide effective training to enhance national readiness for state, local, tribal and territorial emergency managers, first responders and local leaders. FEMA’s principles for emergency management assert that disasters are best managed when they’re federally supported, state managed and locally executed.”

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FEMA

FEMA spends billions each year helping people get temporary housing and rebuild after storms. The agency also funds public assistance for municipalities after disasters, including tornadoes, hurricanes or wildfires.

2026

April 2 — Trump to sign Executive Order restoring pay to DHS workers: President Donald Trump said Thursday that he plans to sign an order soon to pay all Department of Homeland Security employees who have missed paychecks during the record-long partial government shutdown, now in its 48th day.

April 1 — DHS secretary ends $100,000 sign-off requirement: Secretary Markwayne Mullin rescinded a rule requiring his personal approval for DHS expenditures over $100,000, ending a widely criticized policy put in place by his predecessor that critics said burdened FEMA’s disaster response and recovery efforts.

March 26 — FEMA reopens infrastructure grant program: FEMA has reopened applications for its Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities grant program, making $1 billion available to help states, local governments, territories and tribes fund projects that protect against fires, floods, earthquakes and hurricanes, less than three weeks after a federal judge ordered the agency to restore the funding.

March 23 — Senator Markwayne Mullin confirmed as DHS secretary: In his confirmation hearing, Mullin promised he would remove the previous Secretary’s policy of personal review over FEMA contracts worth more than $100,000 which will likely quicken the release of FEMA grants. However, Mullin did not commit to ending staffing cuts at FEMA.

March 10 — Calling on Congress to end shutdown: The National Volunteer Fire Council is urging firefighters and EMS providers to contact members of Congress, pressing their legislators to address the funding impasse over Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a dispute that has kept DHS shut down since Feb. 14.

March 5 — President Trump ousts Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem: President Donald Trump announced he will replace Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem with Sen. Markwayne Mullin after Noem faced intense scrutiny on Capitol Hill over immigration enforcement and agency operations.

Feb. 14 — DHS shutdown: A second shutdown affecting DHS begins, closing the U.S. Fire Administration.

Jan. 29 — FEMA to keep responding to the massive winter storm even if shutdown begins: Experts and former FEMA officials say the agency should have enough money to keep responding to the massive winter storm even if a partial government shutdown begins at midnight Friday, despite Trump administration warnings.

Jan. 23 — Disaster workers terminations halted ahead of winter storm: FEMA has paused the termination of hundreds of disaster workers as a major winter storm is expected to impact large parts of the country. The agency has also activated its response coordination center and pre-positioned resources in multiple states.

2025

Jan. 24 — FEMA under review: President Trump established the Council to Assess the Federal Emergency Management Agency through Executive Order 14180, Council to Assess the Federal Emergency Management Agency. According to a press release from the DHS, the goal of the FEMA Review Council is to “advise the President [and others] on the existing ability of FEMA to capably and impartially address disasters occurring within the United States and shall advise the President on all recommended changes related to FEMA to best serve the national interest.”

Jan. 27 — Federal funding freeze: Trump’s Office of Management and Budget released a memo freezing spending on federal loans and grants, including FEMA grants to fire departments. Administration officials said the pause was necessary to review whether spending aligned with Trump’s executive orders.

Jan. 28 — Judge blocks freeze: A federal judge temporarily blocked a push from President Trump to pause federal funding.

Jan. 29 — Funding memo rescinded: The OMB rescinded the memo freezing federal funding.

Feb. 28 — Grant reviews enacted: FEMA announced that, effective immediately, all grant allocations will undergo additional, manual scrutiny by FEMA and DHS before funds are released. FEMA has requested that recipients answer several questions when submitting new payment requests.

March 19 — Executive order on state and local preparedness: As part of his broader push to overhaul FEMA, President Trump signed an executive order that shifts the burden of disaster response and recovery from the federal government onto states. The EO states:

“Federal policy must rightly recognize that preparedness is most effectively owned and managed at the State, local, and even individual levels, supported by a competent, accessible, and efficient Federal Government. Citizens are the immediate beneficiaries of sound local decisions and investments designed to address risks, including cyber attacks, wildfires, hurricanes, and space weather. When States are empowered to make smart infrastructure choices, taxpayers benefit.”

Additionally, the order mandates that federal agencies publish a National Resilience Strategy, which lays out how to advance national capacity to withstand such risks, within 90 days. It also calls for a review of national critical infrastructure policy within 180 days to recommend ways to “achieve a more resilient posture; shift from an all-hazards approach to a risk-informed approach; move beyond information sharing to action.”

April 21 — Grants processing: Following court orders, FEMA announced that it would resume processing grant payment requests and obligations using the same processes and procedures it was using prior to the implementation of the manual review process. FEMA would no longer require additional reviews on grant payments and obligations other than for grants that were subject to manual review prior to Feb. 14, 2025, or for grants where FEMA is investigating payment requests for potential non-compliance with federal law, regulations, or the terms and conditions of the grant award.

April 28 — New members: The president appointed several new members to the FEMA Review Council. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth will co-chair the council.

May 8 — Administrator fired: FEMA’s acting administrator, Cameron Hamilton, was fired one day after telling lawmakers that he does not support dismantling the agency.

May 12 — FEMA’s new chief: “I will run right over you,” David Richardson told FEMA staff as he took the helm of the nation’s disaster management agency and announced a “Mission Analysis” review of FEMA as the beginning of upcoming policy changes.

May 20 — FEMA grants: FEMA announced the availability of $396 million through two fire service grant programs for fiscal year 2024.

June 10 — FEMA to be phased out: Speaking during an Oval Office briefing, President Trump said the federal government will begin shifting disaster funding and responsibilities to governors after the 2025 hurricane season.

June 11 — FEMA’s National Response Coordination Center resigns: Jeremy Greenberg, who leads FEMA’s National Response Coordination Center, submitted his resignation on June 11 and will officially leave the agency in two weeks, just as the 2025 hurricane season begins to ramp up.

July 21 — FEMA SAR chief resigns: Ken Pagurek stepped down from the position after delays in deploying FEMA teams to deadly Texas flooding, citing growing frustration with DHS oversight and the Trump administration’s handling of disaster response.

July 18 — 20 states sue FEMA over grant cancellations: The lawsuit claims the elimination of BRIC grants will leave communities vulnerable to natural disasters and reduce federal support for disaster prevention.

July 25 — FEMA proposes $1 billion in grant cuts: A proposed federal budget would eliminate funding for over half of FEMA’s emergency and homeland security grant programs, for training, equipment and readiness efforts. FireRescue1 readers weigh in.

Aug. 25 — FEMA employees call for reforms: The “Katrina Declaration and Petition to Congress” calls out the Trump administration’s reductions to CERT, the National Fire Academy and hazard grants as weakening national disaster readiness.

Ongoing — Disaster declarations: President Trump continues to grant emergency declarations for areas hit by natural disasters, although some have been rejected. Track the approvals on the FEMA press page.

NIOSH programs

Several NIOSH programs focused on firefighter health and safety have been impacted by changes to federal programs in recent months.

2026

April 16 — World Trade Center Health Program hiring freeze lifted: Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert Kennedy Jr. has restored hiring for the Sept. 11 health program, easing shortages that have delayed care and claims for thousands of responders and survivors.

March 16 — Staff cuts hit 9/11 WTC Health Program as workers reassigned to ICE: Staffers at the federal World Trade Center Health Program, which has already seen more than a 25% drop in personnel, have been reassigned to work with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Indian Health Service.

Jan. 14 — NIOSH researchers return to work: Federal officials are reinstating hundreds of U.S. health workers who were laid off last year.

2025

March 27 — HHS restructure announcement: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a “dramatic restructuring in accordance with President Trump’s Executive Order, ‘Implementing the President’s Department of Government Efficiency Workforce Optimization Initiative.’” Specifically, the HHS announcement indicated that the department’s 28 divisions will be consolidated into 15 new divisions, including a new Administration for a Healthy America (AHA). The AHA will include NIOSH, previously housed within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, not all NIOSH programs will continue, as evidenced by subsequent layoffs.

April 1 — Layoff announcements: Hundreds of NIOSH employees, including many who work on firefighter health and safety programs, were notified that they had been laid off or would be laid off in June. Managers and others who were placed on administrative leave were told their last day would be in early June. Union members were notified that their last day would be June 30.

The overhaul of health agencies included cuts of 10,000 workers across the CDC, the Food and Drug Administration, the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. NIOSH in particular, with its 1,300-person staff, saw cuts to two-thirds of its workforce – approximately 870 employees. These cut his several programs that directly serve firefighters: the Fire Firefighter Fatality and Investigation and Prevention Program (FFFIPP), the National Firefighter Registry, the National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory and the World Trade Center Health Program.

HHS Union Notification by Lexipol_Media_Group

🟥 Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program

According to ProPublica, the April 1, 2025, reduction in force (RIF) notifications went to seven of the eight members of the FFFIPP, the team that studies firefighter line-of-duty deaths.

“The whole intent of this program was that people would learn through tragedy — what happened to one person — so we can prevent it from happening to others,” one of the laid-off investigator told the publication, adding, “It breaks my heart that we’re going to just destroy these programs that have made so much progress in protecting the health and safety of our firefighting community.”

FFFIPP reports are not only shared with the firefighter’s family but also the broader firefighting community in order to learn from tragedy.

The team was investigating deaths at approximately 20 fire departments when the RIF notices arrived. It is unclear if those investigations will be completed.

FFFIPP employees have shared recent reports with external publications, like FirefighterCloseCalls.com, to ensure they can still reach the masses if the FFFIPP site is shut down. (Additional NIOSH Science Blog content has been shared with FireRescue1 for the same reason, ensuring the educational material can reach firefighters if the blog goes dark.)

May 13 — FFFIPP workers’ RIF revoked: A memo from Tom Nagy, chief human capital officer with HHS, alerted some employees that their previous RIF notification was “hereby revoked.”

🟥 National Firefighter Registry

The April 1, 2025, NIOSH layoffs also hit the National Firefighter Registry, a massive effort to study firefighter cancer. President Trump signed it into law during his first term. Since that time, more than 23,000 firefighters have signed up to participate.

Almost immediately after the news of the NIOSH layoffs, the NFR site went offline.

According to ProPublica, “While HHS said in a statement that programs required by law would remain intact, it did not answer a question about whether it would bring back staff to keep the registry running.”

May 13 — NFR workers’ RIF revoked: A memo from Tom Nagy, chief human capital officer with HHS, alerted some employees that their previous RIF notification was “hereby revoked.”

May 15 — NFR restored: The NFR website went back online, meaning firefighters are now able to enroll and contribute to the ongoing cancer studies again.

🟥 National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory

The 2025 HHS restructuring plan also included significant cuts to the NPPTL, which certifies respirators ranging from N95 masks to full-face coverings worn by firefighters.

May 13 — RIF revoked: A memo from Tom Nagy, chief human capital officer with HHS, alerted some employees that their previous RIF notification was “hereby revoked.”

🟥 World Trade Center Health Program

Tens of thousands of responders and survivors rely on the World Trade Center Health Program to get treatment and medication and monitor injuries and illnesses caused by the toxins around Ground Zero during and after the 9/11 terror attacks.

2026

March 16 — Staff cuts hit 9/11 WTC Health Program as workers reassigned to ICE: Staffers at the federal World Trade Center Health Program, which has already seen more than a 25% drop in personnel, have been reassigned to work with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Indian Health Service.

2025

Feb. 14 — Staff fired: HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., fired all probationary employees at the agency, among them 20% of the WTC Health Program staff.

Feb. 20 — Politicians seek to save program: Amid uproar over the cuts, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Sen. Kirstin Gillibrand (D-NY) and Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-Staten Island/South Brooklyn) urge Kennedy to reverse course.

Feb. 21 — Cuts halted: WTC Health Program cuts were reversed following backlash from New York’s elected officials.

April 1 — NIOSH cuts hit program: The broader NIOSH layoffs included Dr. John Howard, the head of NIOSH and the administrator of the WTC Health Program. According to the New York Daily News:

“No other WTC Health Program employees have been fired, but the program relies on doctors, epidemiologists and administrative staffers who work for the broader agency, so the NIOSH firings pose a threat, survivor advocates claim. Key tasks such as evaluating new applications to the program are done by NIOSH doctors.”

Advocates argued that Howard certifies health conditions for 9/11 first responders and survivors, meaning his departure brings the program to a virtual halt.

Benjamin Chevat, executive director of Citizens for the Extension of the James Zadroga Act, said in a statement: “These cuts to NIOSH will be devastating to the World Trade Center Health Program and must be stopped. The first step must be restoring Dr. Howard as NIOSH Director immediately.”

April 5 — Dr. Howard reinstatement: Secretary Kennedy indicated that he would reinstate Dr. John Howard; however, 16 members of the program for 9/11 first responders and survivors still faced termination, legislators and advocates said.

April 28 — Denied care: After three 9/11 FDNY staff (and WTC Health Program participants) were denied cancer care by the program, it was disclosed that Dr. Howard had not been fully brought back. “That lack of confirmed status put the program into disarray, preventing as many as 1,200 members presenting with new conditions from being officially approved for treatment, and perhaps up to 800 responders and survivors who met program criteria were delayed care and not enrolled in the program,” Chevat said.

April 29 — NIOSH programs temporarily restored: The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) announced that some NIOSH programs focused on firefighter health and safety will be restored following a “misinterpreted executive order” that resulted in dozens of layoffs to the FFFIPP, National Firefighter Registry and the WTC Health Program. IAFF President Ed Kelly shared the following message with IAFF members:

“This past Saturday, I spoke with both the White House and U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to discuss these programs. Yesterday, I was notified that HHS had begun restoring these programs, and staff would be returning to their roles as early as today. It was explained to me that the Reduction in Force (RIF) ordered by a White House Executive Order was misinterpreted by ‘mid-level bureaucrats,’ and our programs – which Secretary Kennedy assured me were ‘critical’ – would continue. Secretary Kennedy and I also discussed meaningful ways to improve the programs to better serve our members. Thanks to our advocacy, these programs will continue. I am confident that the IAFF’s voice will continue to be heard as we work together to improve these programs and make our dangerous jobs as safe as possible.”

Kennedy Jr. praised firefighters on X, adding that “critical services of NIOSH will remain intact.”

Firefighters are among the most courageous and selfless people in our society. They stand as a living testament to the principle that public service is the highest calling. Firefighter health and safety programs remain a top priority for @HHSgov. As the agency continues to…
— Secretary Kennedy (@SecKennedy) April 28, 2025

Cathy Tinney-Zara, a NIOSH public health analyst and president of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 3430, underscored the temporary nature of the NIOSH staff callbacks:

“We are encouraged by the decision to temporarily call back several NIOSH employees. … However, it is important to note that these employees remain on the Reduction in Force (RIF) list and are still scheduled for termination on June 2nd.”

May 1 — Dr. Howard returns: Dr. Howard was again able to approve treatment for conditions and enroll new members, but his return was only guaranteed through June 2, according to Chevat.

May 2 — WTC Health Program firings: Employees were notified that their jobs were eliminated.

Chevat called the terminations “an outrageous betrayal of 9/11 responders and survivors.”

May 5 — Lawsuits begin: Attorneys general from 19 states and Washington, D.C., filed a lawsuit against HHS, Secretary Kennedy and other federal health officials, alleging that the agency’s restructuring endangers the American public. The goal is to prevent what the lawsuit calls the “unconstitutional and illegal dismantling” of the HHS.

Per CNN, an HHS spokesperson said in a statement: “The reforms are designed to strengthen the agency’s capacity to serve the American public, not weaken it. HHS remains confident that the process will withstand legal scrutiny and looks forward to a resolution that reflects the facts and the law.”

May 7 — WTC Health Program workers rehired: 15 of the 16 fired employees were notified that they were being reinstated after a bipartisan outcry. In a statement, Chevat called the action “good news” while pushing for more answers:

“We’re glad it’s happening—but there are still major questions about the status of the program and its future operations and its ability to provide care to 9/11 responders and survivors. What about Dr. John Howard, Administrator of the WTC Health Program? Is he back? For how long? And what about the NIOSH and CDC staff who supported the WTCHP program and have been fired? Are they to be brought back as well?”

May 13 — NIOSH workers’ RIF revoked: A memo from Tom Nagy, chief human capital officer with HHS, alerted some NIOSH employees that their previous RIF notification was “hereby revoked.” The notifications were sent to employees working for the FFFIPP, NFR and the National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory.

June 12 — CDC workers to be reinstated: More than 460 former CDC employees are being brought back after layoffs that gutted public health programs, including those tackling infectious disease, air quality and workplace safety.

Ongoing — Action underway: Fire service leaders have called upon firefighters and advocates to continue to express their support for these programs to members of Congress. CFSI’s Legislative Action Center shares information on outreach to Congress.

Other federal program/agency news

2026

March 31 — Trump administration to relocate USFS HQ to Utah: The Trump administration said it will move U.S. Forest Service headquarters from Washington to Salt Lake City as part of a broader reorganization that will close research facilities in 31 states and shift resources to the West, while agency officials said the operational firefighting workforce will not be affected.

Jan. 15 — Substance abuse, mental health grants restored: A day after the Department of Health and Human Services implemented a late-night rollback of $2 billion in mental health and substance use funding, an administration official confirmed that the grants are now being restored. The cancellation of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration funding had blindsided grantees and sent shock waves through organizations that provide anti-drug and mental health services.

2025

May 2 — FY2026 budget proposal: The Trump administration released its proposed 2026 budget, which includes a proposal to restructure federal wildland firefighting responsibilities and make significant cuts to several health agencies. Under the fiscal year 2026 plan, the administration is seeking to consolidate wildland fire management functions — currently divided between five agencies across the Department of the Interior (DOI) and Department of Agriculture (USDA) — into a new Federal Wildland Fire Service housed within DOI.

May 28 — Analysis center to close: The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) plans to shutter the Emergency Management and Response — Information Sharing and Analysis Center effective June 1, 2025. EMR-ISAC was established to support situational awareness and risk communication among emergency responders nationwide. The program distributes critical infrastructure protection information, threat analysis and best practices for first responders through products such as the InfoGram bulletin.

Dec. 6 — New U.S. Wildland Fire Service leader named: Orange County Fire Authority Fire Chief Brian Fennessy was tapped to lead the newly created United States Wildland Fire Service. Fennessy tentatively accepted the USWFS director role, pending the completion of a federal onboarding process.

Legislation and Funding

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Ohio Fire Marshal grants fund new gear for fire departments

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 11:41:25 GMT

A Rome Township fire engine.

Rome Township Volunteer Fire Department/Facebook

By Christopher Gillett
Star Beacon

ASHTABULA COUNTY, Ohio — The Ohio Fire Marshal approved equipment grants for two local fire departments.

Fire Marshal Public Information Officer Jarrod Clay said $14,272.40 went toward the Rome Township Volunteer Fire Department and $7,300 went to the Wayne Township Fire Department.

He said the equipment grant is typically used by fire departments to buy communications equipment, personal protective equipment and self-contained breathing equipment like masks and tanks.

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Rome Township Fiscal Officer Jeanette Gage said the grant funding would be used for self-contained breathing apparatuses and equipment.

“Basically, they’re air tanks,” she said.

The SCBA equipment will be ordered soon, Gage said.

Wayne Township Fire Chief Mike Semai said the money will go toward battery-operated tools for the fire department to use during rescues, including leaf blowers, chainsaws and ventilation equipment.

“It’s greatly appreciated, because we’ve been wanting to get that kind of stuff for a long time,” he said.

Semai said his fire department, like other rural ones across Ashtabula County and United States, have been hit with issues of rising costs and low recruitment.

“We’re always looking for help,” he said.

The fire department’s upgrades are paid for with fundraisers and grants, Semai said.

“We have to work for what we want to buy,” he said.

Looking to navigate the complexities of grants funding? Lexipol is your go-to resource for state-specific, fully developed grants services that can help fund your needs. Find out more about our grants services here.

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Pa. awards over $905K to volunteer fire companies for wildfire readiness

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 17:16:20 GMT

Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources/Facebook

By Kurt Bresswein
The Express-Times

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania is investing $905,846 in 114 volunteer fire companies as the state enters its peak springtime wildfire season.

The funding is administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service. It aims to help local fire companies purchase wildfire suppression equipment, protective gear, communications tools and training. The grants target rural communities and municipalities with fewer than 10,000 residents.

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“Making sure our wildfire firefighters are well-equipped and highly trained is essential to protecting our forests and wildlands from both human-caused and naturally occurring fires,” said DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. “One of the most meaningful ways we can thank those who battle brush and forest fires across our Commonwealth is by practicing fire safety every day — especially in the spring, when wildfire risk is highest in Pennsylvania.”

Fire companies received grants of up to $15,000 on a 50/50 cost-share basis. Priority went to projects focused on wildfire suppression equipment and protective clothing. The funding can also be used for mobile or portable radios, dry hydrant installation, wildfire prevention and mitigation work, wildland firefighter training and converting vehicles into wildland fire engines.

The program has distributed more than $14 million since it began in 1982.

A DCNR news release on the awards says Gov. Josh Shapiro has prioritized strengthening support for fire departments statewide — for the second consecutive year, his proposed budget includes a $30 million investment for competitive fire company grants, nearly doubling annual funding.

Spring and fall are Pennsylvania’s most active wildfire seasons. March, April, and May present heightened risk due to dry conditions, low humidity and increased outdoor activity. In Pennsylvania, 99% of wildfires are caused by people.

DCNR’s Bureau of Forestry says that on State Forest Lands, fires in fire rings and fireplaces are prohibited from March 1 through May 25.

State forestry officials advise residents to clear the area around fires before starting them, keep fires small and never leave them unattended, consider weather and dryness before starting a campfire, have a nearby water source and rake to extinguish embers, and douse fires thoroughly with water until ashes are cool to the touch.

Residents are also encouraged to create safe zones around homes and cabins by removing leaves and debris, cleaning rain gutters, stacking firewood away from structures and trimming overhanging branches.

Pennsylvania’s career and volunteer firefighters regularly respond to woodland and brush fires statewide, and many deploy with DCNR’s Bureau of Forestry crews to assist with large-scale wildfire response efforts in other states during peak summer conditions.

Looking to navigate the complexities of grants funding? Lexipol is your go-to resource for state-specific, fully developed grants services that can help fund your needs. Find out more about our grants services here.

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NVFC: Firefighters should press Congress to end shutdown

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 15:40:41 GMT

The U.S. Capitol is seen Monday, March 9, 2026, in Washington.

Mariam Zuhaib/AP

WASHINGTON — The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is urging firefighters and EMS providers to contact members of Congress, pressing their legislators to end the Department of Homeland Security shutdown affecting fire and emergency services.

Through its advocacy campaign, the NVFC is calling on responders to press lawmakers to address the funding impasse over Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a dispute that has kept DHS shut down since Feb. 14.

According to the NVFC, the shutdown has delayed the application periods for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant programs, two major funding sources for fire departments across the country. The shutdown has also closed the U.S. Fire Administration and the National Fire Academy.

The organization said those closures are affecting departments that rely on federal grants, training and national-level fire service support. In response, the NVFC is encouraging firefighters to use its Legislative Action Center to send messages to senators and representatives urging action.

The form includes a pre-written message, which can be edited to align with firefighters’ specific concerns.

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Conn. fire department adopts quieter station alerting to reduce cardiac stress

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 13:57:17 GMT

By Dave Collins
Associated Press

DANBURY, Conn. — Until recently, a call coming into the Danbury Fire Department meant alarms and tones immediately blasting at high volume — startling the firefighters before they headed out to scenes that could get their hearts pumping even faster.

Capt. Kevin Lunnie said the effect could be “overwhelming.” He noticed a big jump in his heart rate when the alerts went off, which isn’t a good thing in a profession where heart problems are the leading cause of on-duty deaths.

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But the city is now taking a gentler approach. A new system that went online in September includes alarms that start softer before gradually increasing in volume, while a computerized voice calmly announces the information the firefighters need to know about the incoming emergency.

“It’s much easier on your nervous system,” Lunnie said.

Danbury, a city of around 87,000 people in southwestern Connecticut, is using the new alerts in its five fire stations, joining thousands of other departments around the U.S. and world aiming to both reduce stress and improve response times.

A less alarming alarm

On a recent weekday, a call came into Danbury’s main fire station and the alert began with a single, soft tone. “Truck 1,” said the automated female voice. “Respond to sick person,” it said, giving the patient’s address.

Around the firehouse, warm, red lighting flashed while monitors displayed the nature and location of the emergency. A timer display began to count down from two minutes, with the goal of firefighters leaving the station before the time ran out.

It’s both calmer and clearer than the old system, which began with full-volume single tones followed by cacophony of longer ones that fluctuated between high and low pitches. Dispatchers would previously announce the calls over the station speaker system, which firefighters said could be static-y and hard to understand.

“Most people found it very jarring,” Lunnie said of the system, which would jolt firefighters awake day or night.

The new setup is integrated into the computer-aided dispatching system. So when a dispatcher takes an emergency call and logs the initial information, it can alert the stations and units faster than department staff, while also sending the call information to firefighters’ phones and watches.

A firefighter shows how the Danbury Fire Department’s new Phoenix G2 alerting system sends information to firefighters’ phones, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2026, at the station, in Danbury, Conn.

Dave Collins/AP

The result, according to Danbury Assistant Fire Chief William Lounsbury, is quicker response times.

Danbury tapped around $500,000 in funding from the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act to pay for the new Phoenix G2 system, made by Honeywell subsidiary US Digital Designs. That same system is in nearly 6,000 firehouses around the U.S., according to Honeywell.

Other companies make similar alerting systems that are in many sta

Supporters cite study on new systems’ health benefits

Advocates of the gentler approach point to a decade-old study that found alert systems using an immediately loud sound increased firefighter heart rates by a median of seven beats a minute, compared with five beats a minute under a system that phased in the volume.

Although the difference was relatively small, researchers said it was statistically significant.

“When the alarm was used in a ramp-up fashion — so a gradual buildup on the alarm — the heart rate was lower to the alarm, so it put less stress on their body,” said Dr. Jay MacNeal, associate emergency medical services director for the Beloit Fire Department in Wisconsin and one of the study’s authors.

A component of Danbury’s new Phoenix G2 alerting system flashes a red light during an alarm Sunday, Jan. 22, 2026, at the Danbury Fire Department, in Danbury, Conn.

Dave Collins/AP

More than 40 Beloit firefighters took part in the study, which was published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene in 2016 by researchers at the Emergency Medicine Department at Mercyhealth in Janesville, Wisconsin, and Yale University in Connecticut.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, of the 51 on-duty firefighter deaths in the U.S. in 2024, 20 were caused by sudden cardiac death, the leading cause of the fatalities.

Last year, the NFPA issued new standards for fire station alerts that include using alarms and tones that start at lower volumes, as well as calm, computerized voices, citing the need to reduce stress.

The International Association of Fire Fighters, a union representing more than 360,000 firefighters and paramedics in the U.S. and Canada, also supports progressive-volume alerting systems. But it is seeking specific standards on how they are designed.

Research on the best way to alert firefighters to emergency calls is lacking, and each system now on the market is different, said Sean DeCrane, the IAFF’s assistant to the general president for health and safety.

“We would like to see an industry standard that really starts to define the decibel levels, the intervals, the integration of turning on the lights, what that progression should be, and we believe the standard should be based on research,” DeCrane said.

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$825K grant helps bring Ill. fire training tower closer to construction

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 13:30:03 GMT

Sterling and Rock Falls fire officials received $825,000 in federal funding secured by U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen, bringing their shared regional fire training tower project closer to construction.

Congressman Eric Sorensen/Facebook

By Charlene Bielema
Daily Gazette

The Sterling and Rock Falls fire departments’ shared plan to build a regional fire training tower is moving closer to reality with the receipt of $825,000 in federal funding secured by U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen, D- Rockford.

Sorensen presented Rock Falls Fire Chief Kyle Sommers with a ceremonial big check during a Feb. 13 visit. Sommers and Sterling Fire Chief David Northcutt, during a recent interview on Shaw Local Radio, discussed what the funding means for the project and the facility’s importance for area firefighters and public safety.

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“This isn’t something that’s been rushed into,” Northcutt said. “Everything is being planned out.”

Both Sommers and Northcutt said the departments had been working together for four years to create plans for and fund the tower, to enhance firefighting and technical rescue training and provide firefighters with more training opportunities.

Plans call for the facility to be built in Rock Falls’ industrial park.

“This gives us that ability to do training every single day, anytime that we want,” Sommers said.

Sommers said that training would include practicing in the same conditions firefighters would encounter at a real-life fire scene.

Sorensen requested and secured funds through the federal Community Project Funding process in 2024, only to see those funds rolled back in early 2025. Sorensen announced in November that the funds had been reinstated through the fiscal 2026 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies Appropriations Act that was approved as part of the government funding package to reopen the government last fall.

“Our firefighters do amazing work to keep us safe, but in order to have the confidence necessary to battle dangerous fires, they need access to hands-on training that can prepare them to enter and navigate burning buildings,” Sorensen said when making that announcement. “The new Rock Falls fire training tower will better prepare firefighters across the Rockford region for the extreme environments they must work in, ensuring they are well-prepared to keep themselves and our communities safe when duty calls.”

Sommers also said the training tower will benefit the whole region. Usually firefighters have to travel for something like this, Sommers said, explaining traveling to Champaign or Rockford means time spent traveling back and forth, wear and tear on vehicles, and expenses that include classes, lodging and meals. There also is a limit to how many can go to training at once.

Having a local facility means that firefighters, while training, would still be accessible to the community if needed for a call, Northcutt said.

The chiefs said the next step in the process is to complete paperwork that comes with receiving federal funds. Once that is done, the departments can look toward the construction process. They are hoping to start construction this year; it will take about a year to build, they said.

In the future, Sommers and Northcutt also would like to have classroom facilities available to host training sessions.

“We’d like to have a one-stop training facility where you could host any type of training you want,” Sommers said, adding that those plans would hinge on staffing and how the use of the tower grows.

They’d also like to have Sauk Valley Community College bring back its fire science associate degree program, Northcutt said.

“If everything falls into place, that’s one of the things that we’d like to see come out of this as well,” Northcutt said.

Early public discussions about the need for the facility surfaced in October 2023 as members of the Rock Falls and Sterling fire departments asked the cities to form an intergovernmental agreement as one of several steps needed to build a shared firefighting training facility.

A needs assessment for the two fire departments found that they “lacked some facilities to conduct realistic scenario-based training and solutions at our local level,” Sommers said during the Oct. 17, 2023, Rock Falls City Council meeting.

The assessment was done in the wake of the death of Sterling Fire Lt. Garrett Ramos, who died Dec. 4, 2021, after falling through the floor of a burning home in rural Rock Falls.

Ramos, 38, was discovered unresponsive in a basement that, at the time, fire command didn’t know existed, about 30 minutes after two of his mayday calls went unanswered.

Neither Sterling nor Rock Falls had an easily accessible facility in which to conduct realistic scenarios. Such training was an immediate need identified by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the National Fire Protection Association guidelines.

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$40K grant from Gary Sinise Foundation helps Pa. FD replace outdated extrication tools

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 12:22:37 GMT

By Kent Jackson
Standard-Speaker

WEST HAZLETON, Pa. — Firefighters kneeling on the blacktop pushed up and down on pump handles until, slowly, an overturned car started to lift.

A demonstration on Friday showed off new rescue equipment that West Hazleton Fire Department purchased with a $40,000 grant from the foundation of actor Gary Sinise.

Lines from the pumps went to pillar-like struts on both sides of the car. As air from the pumps pushed up the struts, the car rose high enough that firefighters could have freed a victim whose arm had been trapped.

What else can the equipment do?

“Tons of stuff,” said Deputy Fire Chief Matthew Milore, mentioning rope rescues, stabilizing vehicles and structures. The new gear is strong enough to lift a railcar but weighs less and is easier to set up and use than the set from 1994 it replaces.

How did the fire company even know that Sinise, known for playing Lieutenant Dan in “Forest Gump,” even had a foundation?

“That’s my job,” said Fire Department President Joseph Zajac, who tasks himself with identifying needs and finding ways to fund them.

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Through his foundation, Sinise sends children to Disney, helps veterans and emergency responders.

Grants are competitive because the foundation takes applications from around the nation.

Zajac said West Hazleton submitted the strongest application it could, but U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan, R-8, Dallas Twp., sent a letter endorsing the application.

“We think that made the difference,” Zajac said.

Bresnahan watched the demonstration and asked questions about different pieces of new equipment and took a tour of the 1888 fire house that department has been fixing up. Afterward, he stayed for lunch with firefighters, Mayor John Chura and borough council members while talk turned to the equipment that the department wants to purchase next: A fire engine.

The busiest engine in the department is already 26 years old and the department spent $25,000 in repairs and maintenance to keep it running.

“That’s not sustainable,” Zajac said.

In 2023, the department identified replacing the engine as a priority. Manufacturing and delivering a new engine could take as long as four years if firefighters ordered it now, which they cannot afford to do.

A new engine will cost $1 million to $1.2 million compared to the $4 million budget for the borough government this year,

Zajac said the department applied to the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, but didn’t get past the first round.

Congress also can grants to fire companies through the Congressional Community Project Funding, which is also competitive.

Bresnahan said he received 111 applications for 15 grants in the last round.

The Appropriations Committee revises rules for the project grants annually, but Bresnahan said he would will let the department know about the new guidelines when they come out. Bresnahan said he and his wife, Chelsea, have a foundation that gives smaller gifts such as ambulance equipment and a rescue boat to a fire company.

West Hazleton Fire Chief Brandon Cressman , the only full-time employee, said the department has part-time employees who drive apparatus to emergencies where they are joined by volunteers.

Of 30 registered volunteers, 12 to 15 respond on a good day, Cressman said.

“I give you guys a lot of credit,” Bresnahan said.

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Md. FD whole blood program saved 14 lives since inception

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 18:30:18 GMT

Lieutenant Chris Petry, left, and Assistant Fire Chief Eric Zaney hold the equipment that Carroll paramedics use to administer whole blood to trauma patients.

Lily Carey/TNS

By Lily Carey
Baltimore Sun

CARROLL COUNTY, Md. — Leaning over a table at the Carroll County Public Safety Training Center, Lt. Chris Petry opened a hefty blue cooler, revealing a 500-milliliter unit of Type O-positive blood. Fixed to the cooler’s exterior, a small electronic device monitors the temperature inside, ensuring that the blood stays between 2 and 6 degrees Celsius.

“The concept is pretty much like a lunchbox, or like an Igloo cooler,” Petry said.

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Because human blood needs to be kept at a stable temperature, it can be complicated to transport on an ambulance. When Carroll County’s paramedics encountered a patient who had lost a lot of blood, it used to be difficult to treat them. Using this cooler and other equipment, local paramedics can now administer blood to patients on-scene, providing crucial care before they’re transported to a hospital.

This system, called the Whole Blood Program, has helped save 14 lives in Carroll County since its implementation in May, according to Carroll County Assistant Fire Chief Eric Zaney.

Whole blood provides red blood cells (for oxygen), plasma and platelets (for clotting) in one unit, whereas, in the hospital, these are usually separated. By administering blood at the scene, the program significantly increases survival odds for trauma patients.

And with a new federal grant approved by the county commissioners on Feb. 5, the program has guaranteed funding for the next five years.

“With whole blood, having seen it firsthand, this is something that will turn a patient around instantly,” Petry said. “Patients who are unconscious receive a unit of blood, and they’re conscious and talking to you within two minutes. It’s truly incredible.”

Carroll was the fourth county in Maryland and the 350th EMS system in the country to establish a Whole Blood Program. The initiative started in the San Antonio, Texas, area in 2017 and drew from military practices for treating wounds in combat.

Though treating people who have been injured in car crashes is very different from treating a wound on the battlefield, Petry said they lead to similar types of traumatic injuries — and in both situations, administering blood on the scene can drastically improve chances of survival.

Since Carroll started its program, eight more Maryland counties have started Whole Blood Programs, including Harford County. Several more, including Baltimore County, Baltimore City and Anne Arundel County, are looking into it.

“In Maryland, as soon as they identified that this was going to be extremely beneficial, they pushed it out,” Zaney said. “We knew that, being a smaller agency and being rural, that we needed to get this blood into our community as quickly as possible because if weather is bad and helicopters can’t fly, our units are transporting [patients] up to an hour to a trauma center by ground, and that’s our golden hour.”

During the past nine months, Carroll County paramedics have administered whole blood 17 times. Of the patients who were being treated for internal hemorrhages, all survived after receiving blood. For patients being treated for injuries from car crashes or falls, the survival rate has been about 50%.

Larger EMS systems such as those in Washington, D.C., that have more data to draw from have seen overall survival rates of about 85% after administering whole blood to patients.

The Whole Blood Program came to Carroll County just three years after the county established its own government-run Department of Fire and EMS.

Under this new system, the county government covers the salaries of full-time firefighters and paramedics, while individual volunteer companies continue to provide volunteer staff and pay for the buildings, fire engines and ambulances that the county uses.

This hybrid system can become complicated when it comes to funding, with the volunteers and the county government now splitting the costs of running Carroll’s fire and EMS system. But programs like the Whole Blood Program offer an opportunity to share resources.

The grant that the commissioners approved on Feb. 5, which came from the Maryland Department of Health through the Federal Rural Health Transformation Program, provided just over $911,000 to cover five years of operating and equipment costs.

“To have the county commissioners’ support for a program that they didn’t know about, and to embrace that, and then for our volunteer partners, to have these housed at … the Manchester, Winfield and Taneytown volunteer fire stations, that’s all part of it, right?” Zaney said. “… So it was a whole collaborative approach, and it’s pretty awesome. I’m extremely pumped up about it.”

Looking to navigate the complexities of grants funding? Lexipol is your go-to resource for state-specific, fully developed grants services that can help fund your needs. Find out more about our grants services here.

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FDNY receives $9M to modernize firehouses and build EMS training center

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 16:24:01 GMT

Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, joined by Assemblymember Sam Pirozzolo, Councilmember David Carr and FDNY Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore, announced $9 million in federal funding secured through the congressional appropriations process.

Nicole Malliotakis/Facebook

By Nicolette Cavallaro
Staten Island Advance

NEW YORK — Staten Island elected officials and FDNY leaders gathered at Squad Company 8 in Travis on Friday to announce $9 million federal funding to modernize local firehouses and build an Emergency Medical Services training center.

Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, a Republican who represents parts of Staten Island and Brooklyn in Congress, secured the funding through the congressional appropriations process. She was joined by Assemblymember Sam Pirozzolo, Councilmember David Carr and new FDNY Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore.

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“We have a growing city around us, and Staten Island is no different. As we continue to operate at normal levels, our whole volume continues to go up across our city,” shared Bonsignore. “So this helps us start to continue our pathway of modernization. We have to grow and modernize like the rest of the city.”

New EMS training center

According to Malliotakis, the largest amount of money — $5 million — will go toward renovating a building on Staten Island that will be used for EMS classroom training. The exact location was not immediately clear.

Currently, personnel must travel to either Randall’s Island or northeastern Queens for training, requiring them to be placed out of service and unavailable for duty during those sessions.

“It’ll be shorter commutes to training, which means more first responders are available in our communities, and there’ll be better preparedness across the board,” she said.

Along with the distance, the Queens training facilities have reached maximum capacity as EMS class sizes have grown in recent years. The new center will accommodate larger classes and continue training new and existing EMS members, which will improve service for Staten Islanders.

Other improvements

According to Malliotakis, $2 million of the funding is dedicated to Squad Company 8, Staten Island’s only squad ocmpany , which is among the FDNY’s most versatile units and is critical to safety.

“Ensuring that Squad 8 is safe, modern and an accessible facility is essential to protecting our entire borough and supporting the firefighters who respond to its most complex emergencies,” stated Malliotakis, who had toured the facility earlier in the visit.

Squad 8 moved into the former Engine 154 firehouse in 2018, but the unit requires additional space to accommodate its larger crew and specialty equipment. The upgrades to the station will include improving the kitchens to support firefighters working 24-hour shifts. These amenities will allow firefighters an opportunity to recover after a run.

Malliotakis also secured $1 million for generator improvements at FDNY Engine Company 155/ Ladder Company 78 in New Brighton. This ensures continuous operations during major weather events or outages, especially for firehouses near the water.

Generator installation in aging firehouses often requires facility modifications or roof reinforcement to support the equipment’s size, resulting in costs significantly higher than residential generators.

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In Brooklyn, FDNY Engine Company 284/ Ladder Company 149/Satellite 3 in Dyker Heights will also receive over a million dollars in funding for firehouse improvements, including generator improvements.

“To hear this good news, not only for the Staten Island side of my district, but also the Brooklyn side of my district, this investment in these two great firehouses, all these great companies that they serve in Staten Island and southwest Brooklyn, it’s just music to my ears,” said Carr, a Republican who represents the Mid-Island and Brooklyn in the City Council.

“It takes a very special type of individual to walk into a burning building. When I talk to them, I say ‘How do you do that?’ Every single one says, ‘it’s not only the training and the equipment, but it’s the faith that they have in each other,’” said Pirozzolo, a Republican who represents the Mid-Island in the state Assembly. “That’s what this money is going to do. It’s coming back to Staten Island. It’s going to enhance this facility. It’s going to enhance their training facilities so that they can take care of each other as they do.”

Along with the new training center and firehouse updates, the package also contributes to the funding of The Zadroga Act’s World Trade Center Health Program. The program, which provides no-cost medical monitoring and treatment for 9/11-related health conditions, has been fully funded until 2040.

“These men and women are true heroes. The people in the fire department and other first responders who reported to 9/11 and served on 9/11, would do it again if they had to,” said Bonsignore. “So thank you for putting the work into caring for all of us for years to come.”

Looking to navigate the complexities of grants funding? Lexipol is your go-to resource for state-specific, fully developed grants services that can help fund your needs. Find out more about our grants services here.

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Pa. county lands $1M grant to launch major first responder radio upgrade

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 15:35:41 GMT

Firefighters training at the Centre County Public Safety Training Center.

Centre County Public Safety Training Center/Facebook

Jacob Michael
Centre Daily Times

CENTRE COUNTY, Pa. — The Centre County Commissioners announced a $1 million federal grant award at their meeting Tuesday that will be put toward a major radio upgrade project for first responders across the county.

The grant was distributed through the Commerce, Justice and Science Related Agencies Appropriations Act and supported in Congress by U.S. Senators John Fetterman and Dave McCormick, County Deputy Administrator Natalie Corman said. The $1 million will serve as a kickstarter for a $4.5 million emergency radio equipment overhaul for first responders.

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In total, 1,031 portable radios, or compact, battery-powered radios designed for personal, short-range communication in a one-to-five-mile radius, and 331 mobile radios, or radios installed in and powered by vehicles with a larger, 10-to-20-mile communication radius, will be replaced.

“It is my understanding, at this point, that with some of these older radios, first responders are now getting parts off of eBay, they’re using duct tape and rubber bands to hold them together,” Commissioner Mark Higgins said Tuesday. “And the cost of roughly 1,400 radios, if we take the 1,031 and the 331, it comes to quite a chunk of change.”

Each radio costs roughly $3,500 to $4,000 to replace, Higgins said.

The radios are crucial for first responders, Higgins said, as some of the county’s rural areas have poor reception that makes using cellphones to communicate during emergencies a non-option. Currently, emergency communicators have coverage of 99% of Centre County, and Higgins said the project will mean full coverage.

At least $3.5 million remains to be gathered by the county to fund the overhaul, although Corman noted that fluctuations in supply costs could see that number rise over time.

“This is really one of those moments where this million dollars hopefully gets to kick off further funding opportunities that our community will benefit from every day, and every minute of every day in our community,” Corman said. “So it was critical for us to announce that we received this funding because, again, this really kind of kickstarts what we see as necessary for the rest of the funding to be further secured in our community.”

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The county will look to raise the remaining $3.5 million through a number of means, including federal or state grant applications, contributions from the county’s 35 municipalities and local donations.

The commissioners also urged residents to support their local fire departments, emergency medical services and police departments, with Commissioner Amber Concepcion sharing a reminder that the people involved with those entities — especially fire departments and EMS organizations — serve their community “very often on a voluntary basis.”

“Many of these ambulance and fire companies are doing their own fundraising efforts on a regular basis to keep their operations solvent,” Concepcion said. “Anything we can do to support those companies is really helping the public safety of all of us in our communities.”

A timeline for the radio overhaul was not shared Tuesday, although Emergency Communications Director Norm Spackman said that if, or when, the radios are eventually acquired, they will come equipped with the “newest technology.”

Looking to navigate the complexities of grants funding? Lexipol is your go-to resource for state-specific, fully developed grants services that can help fund your needs. Find out more about our grants services her

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April 18, 2026 08:00 AM

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© 2026 the Centre Daily Times (State College, Pa.).
Visit www.centredaily.com.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Calif. district votes to fund fire engineers as federal grant expires

Sat, 31 Jan 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Templeton firefighters were part of a strike team battling the Gifford Fire in 2025.

Templeton Fire & Emergency Services/Facebook

By Chloe Shrager
The Tribune

TEMPLETON, Calif. — As integral outside funding for the Templeton fire station runs out, the district committed to filling the fiscal gap for two specialized firefighters — but it will have to cut corners elsewhere to pay for the positions.

An $800,000 federal grant that has funded two full-time fire engineers for the past three years will run out in the middle of February, leaving Templeton Fire and Emergency Services understaffed.

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Fire engineers have specialized training to drive and operate the fire engine, particularly pumps, while also performing full firefighting duties and emergency medical services.

The Community Services District Board of Directors meeting room was packed full on Tuesday night as the directors considered alternative staffing options.

The original plan was that the two engineer positions would disappear after the grant funding ran out, leaving the fire department to rely on more reserve firefighters who receive less rigorous training — but it would’ve been too expensive to keep both.

Fire Chief Tom Peterson and the larger Templeton community instead asked for the Community Service District to fund the engineer roles at the expense of keeping the reserve units.

“Full-time engineers are not a luxury — they’re essential,” Phil Goldblum, president of the Templeton Firefighters Association, said during public comment. “They’re highly trained to operate large emergency vehicles, manage pumps and water supply. ... These skills require experience and consistency. They cannot be replaced quickly or learned on the fly.”

The decision came six months after Templeton’s historic Feed and Grain burned to the ground in the center of downtown, a fire that many fear could’ve spread to surrounding buildings had the fire department not responded in minutes.

Many comments from the public reflected the sentiment that had the fire department not been fully staffed with trained engineers on all shifts, the fire could’ve ended up much worse for the small downtown.

“I fully believe that the entire town could have burned down if it was not for the fact that we had full-time staff ready to respond quickly,” Templeton resident Susan Kocher wrote in an email to the board ahead of the meeting.

Ultimately, the board chose to fund two full-time engineer positions and remove the fire services’ reserve firefighters, putting the community service district in a $65,000 budget hole this fiscal year — which many agreed was a small price to pay for their safety. What were Templeton’s options?

In 2022, Templeton Fire and Emergency Services applied for and received a $798,576 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response — or SAFER — grant from FEMA that paid for two additional full-time engineers for three years, from February 2023 to February 2026, on the stipulation that after the grant period ends, the fire department would revert to the previous staffing model and eliminate the additional full-time engineer positions.

The grant gave Templeton fire services enough funding to have a full-time captain, a full-time engineer and a part-time reserve firefighter on every shift, around the clock.

However, the SAFER grant will run out Feb. 17 . The district applied for another grant in July, but found out Templeton was denied in December.

Templeton was left with three options: to leave staffing levels as is, revert to the previous staffing model or adopt a new staffing model, all of which were costly.

Maintaining the current staffing model without the grant would lead to an annual deficit of about $291,000. The Fire and Emergency Management Committee ruled that option unsustainable at its Nov. 19 meeting.

“Maintaining current three person staffing model without the SAFER grant is just not financially sustainable,” Peterson said.

That left either reverting to the previous staffing model without the fire engineers — known as the Measure A model — or adopting a new model with the fire engineers — called Option 1. Neither model met the National Fire Protection Association 1710 staffing standards of at least three trained, full-time personnel on shift at any time.

Peterson, with the full support of the community, recommended Option 1.

Under Option 1, two experienced people would be on shift at any given time — one captain and one engineer — whereas under Measure A, more shifts would be fully covered, but by reserve firefighters who receive less training.

Although Measure A would’ve cost marginally less — putting Templeton in a $47,000 deficit compared to a $65,000 one — the model presented safety concerns that reverberated across the community.

Nine people wrote in ahead of the meeting by Jan. 15 to express their support for funding the two fire engineer positions proposed in Option 1, and six more spoke at the meeting.

Under Measure A, captains would have to act as both incident commander for less experienced firefighters while operating the engines, Peterson said.

“Essentially, that captain would be operating that fire almost by themselves,” Peterson said.

However, the recommended Option 1 effectively eliminates the reserve firefighter program.

“When I make this proposition to eliminate the reserve program, it’s not an easy one for me,” Peterson said at Tuesday night’s meeting. “These are all great people, and it makes it a very difficult option to have to select, but again, it’s one that I think is necessary.”

Ultimately, the district approved funding for one full-time fire chief, three full-time captains and three full-time engineers, which would put two people on every shift, every hour of the day.

The community applauded the decision — and the firefighters who showed up to support the motion — but the directors agreed this was only a Band-Aid on a bigger problem.

“This is only a short-term solution,” Director Debra Logan said. “We’ve got a longer term problem, in my opinion, and I think we’ve got to look at possibly ... what do we do with the fire department? How do we fund it and how do we staff it appropriately?”

Looking to navigate the complexities of grants funding? Lexipol is your go-to resource for state-specific, fully developed grants services that can help fund your needs. Find out more about our grants services here.

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Mich. FD receives $866K federal grant for station upgrades

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 12:24:40 GMT

Bridgeport Tower Ladder 6 in front of its firehouse.

Bridgeport Fire Department/Facebook

By Cole Waterman
mlive.com

BRIDGEPORT TWP, Mich. — The Bridgeport Fire Department has received a six-figure federal grant to update its facilities, improve firefighters’ response times, and protect their health and safety.

U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet on Tuesday, Jan. 27, visited the department at 6204 Dixie Highway to announce she had obtained an $866,000 Community Development Grant to improve the station. McDonald Rivet secured the resources through her fiscal year 2026 Community Project Funding Initiative.

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The grant application was sent to her office in March 2025 by Bridgeport Township Chief Accountant Ron Rachwitz and then-Township Treasurer and past Fire Chief Patrick Nelson.

“We cannot thank her enough for seeing what this means to the community and our firefighters,” Fire Chief David Smigiel stated in a Facebook post.

The funding will help the department move forward with an extensive expansion and remodel of its existing 54-year-old station. It will repair deteriorating apparatus floors and allow for a proper shower/decontamination area for personnel to clean chemicals off themselves upon returning to the station.

The expansion will further create space on a crowded apparatus floor and enable the relocation of critical equipment for the decontamination/shower room project. The funding will also include updating undersized electrical systems, adding a new fire suppression system, and removing the old hose tower, Smigiel wrote.

“With the cooperation of Congresswoman McDonald Rivet’s office, the USDA, and other agencies, we hope to see construction begin later this year,” Smigiel wrote.

Looking to navigate the complexities of grants funding? Lexipol is your go-to resource for state-specific, fully developed grants services that can help fund your needs. Find out more about our grants services here.

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$2.5M renovation places sprinklers, fire alarm inside Maine firehouse

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 15:16:40 GMT

Caribou Fire & Ambulance Department/Facebook

By Cameron Levasseur
Bangor Daily News

CARIBOU, Maine — When it was built in 1978, no sprinkler system was installed in the Caribou Fire and Ambulance Department. At some point in the five decades that have followed, the building’s fire alarm broke, and the parts are too antiquated to repair it.

Those fire safety flaws and a handful of other issues with the station are finally set to be addressed in 2026, as the city moves forward with an estimated $2.5 million renovation of the building and the next-door Lion’s Club , where some fire department facilities will be located.

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“Everybody has the thought, ‘Well, it’s a fire station. You don’t need a sprinkler system.’ But you actually do,” Fire Chief Brian Lajoie said Wednesday.

Work on the upgrades is expected to begin less than a year after the city abandoned plans originally designed to construct a new public safety building and put Caribou’s police and fire departments under one roof.

The fire department had long been axed from that proposal amid soaring cost estimates that ultimately doomed the project, but the issues that plague its building are still prevalent.

Lajoie’s office, where he spoke to a reporter for this story, is on the bottom floor of the department, next to its apparatus bay and the room that houses its gear washer and extractor. That area is considered a red zone, or within the decontamination area of the station where cancer-causing agents and other biohazards on firefighter gear are brought into the building after fires.

“That means we have all those harmful chemicals floating in the air,” Lajoie said.

His office, as well as the office of an administrative assistant, will move out of the station and into the Lions Club building. The club disbanded several years ago.

Building plans presented by the city show the fire department will transform the first floor of the building, adding a third office for administrative work, a conference room, a kitchenette, a large classroom/training area and a new fitness center.

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The department’s current fitness center is a roughly 10-foot by 10-foot space that will be overtaken by renovations to the dormitory area on the first floor of the station.

The dormitory upgrades are part quality of life, part to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. They will expand the residential capacity to 21 beds and use smaller walls to create “personal bedroom” spaces for firefighters.

The locker room and bathroom area of the station will also be revamped to create more space and to better accommodate women by constructing individual rooms with toilets and showers.

“That stuff hasn’t been upgraded since the building’s been built, so it’s in dire need of renovation for sure,” Lajoie said. “I’ve been here for 33 years and nothing really has changed upstairs, except for maybe a little bit of furniture.”

The department currently employs one female firefighter out of a full-time staff of 15 — including Lajoie and the administrative assistant. With a full staff, it would have 17 employees, rotating three, five-person crews. It’s short two firefighters presently, meaning two crews operate with four members.

But the expanded dormitory space will allow for future staff expansion, Lajoie said, and he’s hoping to fill the vacant positions following negotiations between the fire department’s union and the city, which are working toward developing a new crew schedule.

The improvements will also update the station’s kitchen, move a personal laundry area out of the red zone and replace an outdated ventilation system.

In its regular monthly meeting Monday, the Caribou City Council unanimously approved design development documents laying out the renovations.

But before ultimately voting to approve, Councilor Dan Bagley suggested tabling the decision until after the council had completed negotiations with the union. He was met with resounding dissent from the rest of the council.

The project will now proceed to the construction documents phase, after which it can be put out to bid. If the process continues to go smoothly, Lajoie said he tentatively expects construction to start in early May or June.

A budget document for the project published by the city includes a cost estimate to expedite the construction process that assumes a spring start date.

The renovations will be funded out of a pool that includes $1,35 million in congressionally directed spending, $234,340 from Caribou’s federal American Rescue Plan Act funds, $106,643 from a 2022 County ARPA grant, and $835,000 from the city’s 2022 capital improvement budget, City Manager Penny Thompson said in 2024 after the council approved releasing a request for proposals for the design of the project.

“We’re excited for the nice refreshment of the fire station and the Lions Club,” said Amanda Jandreau, project manager for architecture and engineering firm Harriman and Caribou’s former planning board chair.

Looking to navigate the complexities of grants funding? Lexipol is your go-to resource for state-specific, fully developed grants services that can help fund your needs. Find out more about our grants services here.

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AFG, SAFER and FP&S opening together: How fire departments can prepare now

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 18:01:13 GMT

Image/AI

Editor’s Note: Looking to navigate the complexities of grants funding? Lexipol is your go-to resource for state-specific, fully developed grants services that can help fund your needs. Find out more about our grants services here.

By Adam Hursh

This grant cycle is shaping up to be different. The Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG), Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) and Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) programs are all expected to open together in early February, with a longer application window of six to eight weeks instead of the usual four. While this might seem like extra time, having all three open at once puts significant pressure on departments that are not prepared.

When all three programs open at the same time, the biggest impact is competition for time, not just funding. Chiefs, grant writers, finance staff and vendors are pulled in multiple directions at once. Departments that normally focus on one federal application at a time now face three programs with different goals, scoring priorities and documentation needs.

The result is often rushed narratives, incomplete data and missed opportunities.

Another challenge is decision paralysis. AFG, SAFER and FP&S each serve different needs. AFG covers equipment, PPE, vehicles and training. SAFER is about staffing and recruitment. FP&S funds prevention, education and firefighter safety research. When all three open together, departments must quickly decide which program best matches their biggest need and their best chance for funding. Trying for all three without a clear plan often weakens each application.

A longer application window does not remove this risk. Six to eight weeks may sound like plenty of time, but it can give a false sense of security. Departments may put off starting, thinking they have time to spare. Then vendor delays, slow approvals and missing data end up squeezing the schedule anyway. The departments that benefit most from extra time are the ones that start preparing before the window opens.

Key steps for success

Preparing now is essential. It can mean the difference between a smooth process and a last-minute rush. Here’s how you can prepare today:

Step 1: Set priorities.

Departments should decide now which program is their main focus, which is secondary and which program might be shelved this year. This choice should be based on risk, operational gaps and readiness, not just wish lists. For example, if staffing is low and retention is a problem, SAFER should come first. If turnout gear is outdated or SCBA does not meet standards, AFG should be the focus. If community risk reduction or safety programs are on hold due to funding, FP&S is the right choice. Deciding early helps keep each application strong.

Step 2: Organize your documentation.

All three programs use the same basic data: call volume, staffing levels, population served, budget trends and response challenges. Departments should make sure this information is accurate, consistent and easily accessible. Conflicting numbers across applications are an easy way to lose credibility with reviewers and even be disqualified by the computer scoring system. This is also the time to check your SAM registration, UEI status, banking details and authorized officials. These issues cause more problems than most departments want to admit.

Step 3: Coordinate with vendors and partners.

For AFG, departments should already have quotes or at least know the price ranges. Waiting until the application opens can cause delays and rushed estimates. For SAFER, confirm salary scales, benefit rates and long-term funding plans with your finance team now. For FP&S, set up partnerships with schools, community groups or prevention specialists before you start writing. Reviewers want to see clear roles, not general plans.

Step 4: Assign roles.

Another important area is internal capacity. When all three programs open during the same period, departments need to honestly assess who will handle the work. One person cannot manage three full federal applications alone. Assign roles now, even if it means narrowing the number of applications submitted. It is better to submit one strong application than three weak ones.

Step 5: Create a timeline.

Departments should create a submission timeline that plans for delays. Internal review, governing body approval and last-minute data fixes usually take longer than expected. Extra time only helps if you use it on purpose, not just react to problems as they come up.

Get ready

When AFG, SAFER and FP&S all open together, being prepared pays off. Departments that start now can pick the right program, write a clear application and submit on time. Those who wait for the official opening will be racing the clock, their own workload and other departments that are better prepared.

This grant cycle is a real opportunity, but only for departments that take it seriously and prepare ahead.

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Grant helps Ind. county build first live fire training tower

Sat, 17 Jan 2026 13:00:00 GMT

A new four-story fire training tower, funded by a $30,000 Cass County Community Foundation grant, is rising at the Cass County EMA to serve all 11 county fire departments.

Cass County Emergency Management Agency/Facebook

Pharos-Tribune

CASS COUNTY, Ind. — Despite having 11 fire departments in its area, Cass County does not have a live fire training facility.

That is about to change. Travelers heading north on State Road 17 over the past few weeks may have noticed a growing structure being erected at the Cass County Emergency Management Agency.

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The four-story structure is the new fire training tower, being built for the benefit of all of the county’s fire departments, made possible by a grant from the Cass County Community Foundation.

The $30,000.00 grant to the Cass County Fire Association funded the purchase of shipping containers and other items that are starting to now take shape over the north Cass County skyline, according to a press release from the EMA.

Due to Indiana Department of Environmental Management regulations for live fire training facilities, most existing fire department properties in the county are not conductive to hosting one. The EMA facility grounds are far enough away from other structures, roadways, utility lines and fuel storage to meet all of the permitting requirements.

The idea was pitched to the Board of Commissioners, and it was supportive of using the grounds to host the facility. The Indiana Department of Environmental Management has already signed off on the permit for the new live fire facility.

The new facility will allow firefighters to get in-county training on a variety of topics including live fire training, ladder work, hose advancement, search and rescue and many other items. Currently, fire departments mark out of service to go to another community for this type of training or go without.

The facility will also be used by programs such as the Cass County Fire Academy, put on locally by a cooperative effort of are departments, or programs like the one at Century Career Center. In years past they too have had to travel out of county to complete live fire and other training requirements for certification. With many agencies, both paid and volunteer, being short on manpower and equipment, it is a strain to send personnel and trucks out of county to meet requirements.

The facility may also have an impact on insurance rates for county homes and businesses. Fire departments are graded by the Insurance Services Organization on topics including training they participate in each year. The presence of a training tower in the county, and the area departments utilizing the training tower, can increase the number of points fire departments receive on their ISO ratings. Better ratings translates to lower insurance rates.

The Cass County Emergency Management Agency, Logansport Fire Department and Cass County Fire District 1 are leading the charge to turn the project into a reality. Personnel from all three agencies have been to the site pouring concrete, welding, and other tasks that need done.

According to the press release, the real heavy lifting has come from community support. The support received so far includes:

Grand Industrial donating crane and personnel time to stack the ten containers that comprise the structure;
Cass County Highway Department preparing the ground, installing a new driveway and welding;
Logansport Fire Department providing funding for the stone for the driveway and parking area;
Logansport Utilities drilling holes for the Sono Tubes that serve as the foundation;
Cole Hardwood donating lumber; and
Home Depot providing discount on materials.

In the weeks and months ahead, volunteers and personnel from area fire departments will work to install doorways and stairs, safety features for the live fire training area and other components. The facility is expected to be completed by summer.

The county has established a special non-reverting fund to help with development and long-term maintenance and expansion of the training center. Anyone who would like to make a financial donation can send it to Cass County Fire Training Fund, c/o Cass County Emergency Management Agency, 1227 N State Road 17, Logansport, IN 46947.

Looking to navigate the complexities of grants funding? Lexipol is your go-to resource for state-specific, fully developed grants services that can help fund your needs. Find out more about our grants services here.

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April 17, 2026 10:47 AM

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Colo. fire board chair resigns 1 day after recall paperwork filed

Loveland Fire Rescue Authority Board Chair Jeff Swanty’s resignation follows a months-long dispute that resulted in Fire Chief Tim Sendelbach separating from the agency

April 17, 2026 05:07 PM

Legislation and Funding

‘A small step in the right direction': N.C. firefighters to receive raises under new pay plan

The Winston-Salem city council approved a nearly $2 million compensation overhaul boosting salaries up to 9.5%

April 18, 2026 08:00 AM

Apparatus

N.Y. FD adds new pumper truck to boost response times

Troy’s new Engine 2, designed for the city’s hills and dense infrastructure, will serve the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute area as officials continue investing in public safety

April 18, 2026 12:00 PM

Company News

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Grant helps Ore. FD reduce non-emergency lift-assist calls with training, new equipment

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 11:10:00 GMT

An Albany Fire Department medic unit.

Albany Fire Department/Facebook

By Hans Boyle
Albany Democrat-Herald

ALBANY, Ore. — The Albany Fire Department is trying to respond to fewer calls. That is, fewer non-emergencies.

The department, with grant support last year, purchased equipment for and helped train staff at local care facilities to better assist folks who have fallen and need help getting back up — so the city’s first responders don’t have to do it.

| NEXT: What do you do after the lift assist?

“It’s not our job to do this,” AFD community paramedic Hilary Kosmicki said in a phone call this week, referring to instances when there are no injuries. Employees at the care facilities should handle such cases.

She added the training, which ran last month, and the new equipment is already paying off.

As of this week, Albany care facilities have used newly acquired lift-assist devices to help residents on at least seven occasions, she said.

Too many calls

Ray Wooldridge, the department’s EMS chief, said in a phone call this week that grants funds from the state, totaling over $68,000, were used to purchase 13 inflatable lifting chairs for surrounding care facilities, so staff there would have the tools needed to respond to falls.

Lift-assists have taken up a good chunk of time at the department. Wooldridge said they make up 30% of calls each year, and according to the department’s 2024 report, there were nearly 900 calls for lift assists. That’s more than the number of motor vehicle accidents called in that same year.

Not only do such calls take time and resources away from emergencies, but they are also hard on backs. According to Kosmicki, back injuries are a top injury for firefighters and workers at care facilities.

Last month, she and Wooldridge helped train more than 200 staff at facilities in Albany, including Lydia’s House at Mennonite Village and Bonaventure, how to use the lift devices and help someone get safely back on their feet. Training wrapped up mid-December, she said.

Grant funding

The funds for the Albany Fire Department’s lift assist project were part of a series of grants awarded by the Oregon Department of Human Services last year to support efforts to improve emergency services for long-term care residents.

The department awarded over $2 million in grants to four cities across the state, including Albany, with funding continuing through December 2026.

The money comes from the Quality Care Fund, which is supported by licensing fees and fines from care facilities, according to Sid Humphries, the emergency medical services coordinator at ODHS.

Looking to navigate the complexities of grants funding? Lexipol is your go-to resource for state-specific, fully developed grants services that can help fund your needs. Find out more about our grants services here.

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Inside the collapse: 4 firefighters injured in Kan. abandoned structure fire

A NIOSH investigation details how deteriorated conditions, fire below and strategy gaps led to four serious firefighter injuries

April 17, 2026 10:47 AM

Bill Carey

Colo. fire board chair resigns 1 day after recall paperwork filed

Loveland Fire Rescue Authority Board Chair Jeff Swanty’s resignation follows a months-long dispute that resulted in Fire Chief Tim Sendelbach separating from the agency

April 17, 2026 05:07 PM

Legislation and Funding

‘A small step in the right direction': N.C. firefighters to receive raises under new pay plan

The Winston-Salem city council approved a nearly $2 million compensation overhaul boosting salaries up to 9.5%

April 18, 2026 08:00 AM

Apparatus

N.Y. FD adds new pumper truck to boost response times

Troy’s new Engine 2, designed for the city’s hills and dense infrastructure, will serve the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute area as officials continue investing in public safety

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April 10, 2026 04:04 PM

White House reverses $2B cut to mental health, substance abuse grants

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 15:05:02 GMT

The White House is seen Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026.

Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP

By Sandhya Raman
CQ-Roll Call

WASHINGTON — A day after the Department of Health and Human Services implemented a late-night rollback of $2 billion in mental health and substance use funding, an administration official confirmed late Wednesday that the grants are now being restored.

The cancellation of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration funding had blindsided grantees and sent shock waves through organizations that provide anti-drug and mental health services.

| MORE: Top 5 opioid settlement grant opportunities you shouldn’t miss this spring

About 2,000 grantees who rely on these funds to operate were informed by form letters Tuesday night that funding was being cut off, according to sources familiar with discussions. They were notified of the funding changes in letters that cite “non-alignment with SAMHSA priorities.”

The cutbacks primarily affected discretionary grant programs that often enjoy bipartisan support. President Donald Trump has supported them in the past, notably signing a wide-ranging 2018 opioid prevention and treatment law during his first term and its reauthorization just last month.

It started to become clear late Wednesday that these cuts were going to be reversed.

“My understanding is that there has been an intervention at the White House,” Senate Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations ranking member Tammy Baldwin, D- Wis. “It might be a one-day issue.”

An official who wasn’t authorized to speak on the matter said the grant cancellations “are being rescinded.”

The issue in the past has been programs that aligned with Trump priorities.

SAMHSA, the agency tasked with mental health and addiction issues, has faced sweeping changes under the second Trump administration. HHS has gutted staff as part of efforts to reorganize the agency under Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr .’s flagship Administration for a Healthy America, which has moved away from efforts to use harm reduction to mitigate drug-related deaths.

Many organizations that receive funding modified their missions to comply.

Kathryn Cates-Wessel, CEO of the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry, is the principal investigator for two national SAMHSA grants that had been targeted for the cuts. She said the organization removed all language in their materials related to harm reduction or underrepresented or minority groups to comply with executive orders and communicated that to the agency.

The cuts had also drawn criticism from lawmakers.

“The result of these SAMHSA cuts will be a death sentence for individuals who most need support and care,” Rep. Paul Tonko, D- N.Y., who has focused his efforts in Congress on substance use issues, said in a statement.

Another grantee that had been targeted for cuts is the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, created to increase access to services for children and families who experience or witness traumatic events, another program that has had bipartisan support.

Jenifer Wood Maze , co-director of the UCLA-Duke National Center for Child Traumatic Stress, said she had been hearing that most current grantees in the network received the same notice of immediate termination.

“Many have had other child mental health grants from SAMHSA terminated as well, so the impact is really huge. This network has been operating and growing steadily for 25 years, so this is coming as a shock to us,” she said prior to the cuts’ reversal late Wednesday.

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NIOSH

Inside the collapse: 4 firefighters injured in Kan. abandoned structure fire

A NIOSH investigation details how deteriorated conditions, fire below and strategy gaps led to four serious firefighter injuries

April 17, 2026 10:47 AM

Bill Carey

Colo. fire board chair resigns 1 day after recall paperwork filed

Loveland Fire Rescue Authority Board Chair Jeff Swanty’s resignation follows a months-long dispute that resulted in Fire Chief Tim Sendelbach separating from the agency

April 17, 2026 05:07 PM

Legislation and Funding

‘A small step in the right direction': N.C. firefighters to receive raises under new pay plan

The Winston-Salem city council approved a nearly $2 million compensation overhaul boosting salaries up to 9.5%

April 18, 2026 08:00 AM

Apparatus

N.Y. FD adds new pumper truck to boost response times

Troy’s new Engine 2, designed for the city’s hills and dense infrastructure, will serve the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute area as officials continue investing in public safety

April 18, 2026 12:00 PM

$2M grant helps N.M. FD increase firefighter staffing sooner than expected

Fri, 09 Jan 2026 11:00:00 GMT

A City of Clovis firefighter puts water on a fire started by a Roman candle during a demonstration of illegal fireworks at the Clovis Fire Department Training Center.

JOHN WALKER/TNS

By Leqi Zhong
The Fresno Bee

CLOVIS, N.M. — The city of Clovis will add more firefighters sooner than expected thanks to a $2 million federal grant.

Clovis will hire six firefighters in March with the help of an Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The grant aims to help local fire departments with staffing and deployment capabilities in order to respond to emergencies.

| MORE: Get grants-ready: A practical guide to winning public safety funding

“By accepting the grant, the fire department will accelerate the initial timeline of squad implementation to begin in March 2026 instead of fiscal year 2026-27,” said Chris Ekk, the city’s fire chief. “The six firefighters that we hire will start on March 23 and complete their new hire training on April 30, and we’d be able to staff the squad on May 1.”

The city has long financially struggled to hire public safety officers to serve the city’s rapidly growing population. Last April, Clovis started collecting a 1% sales tax, Measure Y, to gather an estimated $26 million in revenue annually to support the city’s operational needs, including hiring more firefighters.

Clovis’s fire department will receive a $2 million grant over the next three years to partially fund six firefighter positions. In the first two years, the local cost share is 25%, and it increases to 65% in the third year, according to a document submitted to the City Council.

For the first year, Clovis will pay $140,000 from its General Fund for its share of the cost.

The city originally planned to hire 50 additional police positions, 18 fire positions, and 14 parks and streets positions by fiscal year 2030 through Measure Y, which generated by the newly implemented 1% sales tax.

In 2025, the fire department’s response time to emergency calls was 7:48 minutes, 78 seconds longer than the goal of 6:30 minutes. The effective response force time for fire incidents was 12:14 minutes, 104 seconds longer than the goal of 10:30 minutes, according to the preliminary annual data Ekk shared with the council.

To support the new hires and to meet the city’s established squad staffing requirements, the department also sought the council’s approval to purchase equipment and add supervision positions.

A $909,000 cost from Measure Y will be made to fund the costs to promote three fire captains and three engineers, as well as additional equipment, according to the council document.

This is the second time for Clovis to receive this federal grant. In 2019, the city used the same source of grant to hire nine firefighters, Ekk told the council.

After the three-year grant period, the city will continue to fund the positions.

“The squad will stay in service after that third year, then the city’s on the hook for 100% of the staffing,” Ekk said. “I think it’s just important to say we’re not going to hire for three years now and let people go.”

Looking to navigate the complexities of grants funding? Lexipol is your go-to resource for state-specific, fully developed grants services that can help fund your needs. Find out more about our grants services here.

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NIOSH

Inside the collapse: 4 firefighters injured in Kan. abandoned structure fire

A NIOSH investigation details how deteriorated conditions, fire below and strategy gaps led to four serious firefighter injuries

April 17, 2026 10:47 AM

Bill Carey

Colo. fire board chair resigns 1 day after recall paperwork filed

Loveland Fire Rescue Authority Board Chair Jeff Swanty’s resignation follows a months-long dispute that resulted in Fire Chief Tim Sendelbach separating from the agency

April 17, 2026 05:07 PM

Legislation and Funding

‘A small step in the right direction': N.C. firefighters to receive raises under new pay plan

The Winston-Salem city council approved a nearly $2 million compensation overhaul boosting salaries up to 9.5%

April 18, 2026 08:00 AM

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Opioid settlement funds help Ala. FD, PD purchase 10 AEDs

Mon, 22 Dec 2025 13:31:38 GMT

By Erica Smith
The Decatur Daily

ATHENS, Ala. — Athens Fire and Rescue is purchasing three automated external defibrillators (AEDs) with the city’s opioid settlement funds, and the Athens Police Department is purchasing 10 AEDs with grant money in a first step toward trying to get them in every police cruiser.

“We have three engines. We have a ladder truck, we have a reserve truck, and we have two wildland fire trucks — we call them brush trucks,” said Athens Fire Chief James Hand. “These will be going to staff the vehicles we don’t have any AEDs on. We have AEDs on all of our engines and ladder trucks and stuff. But we realized not long ago that, hey, sometimes our brush trucks will be out on a call, so they need them as well.”

| READ NEXT: Opioid settlement funding update: The impact on first responders

Hand said both brush trucks, which are used, for example, if a brush fire gets out of hand in a wooded area, and the reserve truck will be getting AEDs.

“Our reserve truck is only used when we have something out of service,” he said. “But if we have inclement weather or anything like that, we call in additional personnel to staff this truck, so we have plenty of vehicles on the road. That way, they have one as well.”

The Fire Department will be purchasing three semiautomatic defibrillators and three sets of adult and pediatric defibrillator pads. Hand said they currently have no need for more, but the AEDs do expire over time, and they will replace them as they go bad.

The Athens City Council this month approved the purchase of the AEDs for the Fire Department. The total cost of the three AEDs and two sets of pads is about $5,816 and is to be funded by the Athens Opioid Fund.

Athens City Clerk and Treasurer Annette Barnes said the city joined a lawsuit with other cities in order to receive the opioid settlement funds.

“It’s actually against the drug companies. These pharmaceutical companies are who are named in the lawsuit,” she said. "... It’s just for the overdistribution of opioids in general.”

Barnes said they receive money from the lawsuit annually, and they are still getting it. In fiscal 2023, the city received $242,000, about $21,000 the second year, $53,000 the third year, and so far this year, the city has received $75,000.

“We’ve spent less than $1,000 like on Narcan for the Fire Department,” Barnes said. “You’re so limited on what you can spend it on, so I think we’re really just getting started on spending it.”

The terms of the settlement provide that some of the items the opioid money can be spent on include training for first responders, schools, community support groups and families, for evidence-based prevention programs in schools, for community drug disposal programs, and for the education of law enforcement or other first responders regarding appropriate practices and precautions when dealing with fentanyl or other drugs.

After purchasing the AEDs for Fire & Rescue, the city still has about $385,815 left of the opioid money they have so far received.

At an Athens City Council meeting last month, the council approved acceptance of a grant from the Alabama Mountains, Rivers & Valleys Resource, Conservation and Development Council for the Athens Police Department to buy 10 AEDs with pediatric keys, carrying cases, and accessories at a cost of about $16,290.

“We’re going to put these in our supervisors’ cars. That way we know at least one supervisor is out on each shift,” said Athens Police Chief Anthony Pressnell. “We do have instances or calls where we get there before fire and EMS both get there. So, that would give us extra means of helping patients when they need something at that time.”

Pressnell said when his officers are first on the scene, the AEDs will help.

“We’ve had officers that had to start CPR as we’re waiting on EMS or Fire to respond,” he said. “I mean, they do a great job, they’re fast to get there, but we’re closer. So, this will give us something while we’re waiting for them to get there.”

Pressnell said they are looking into purchasing more AEDs to put in more police vehicles.

“As we purchase more, then obviously we’ll have more out at one time, and that’s what our goal is — to put one in every vehicle. We have 50 officers, so 40 more defibrillators,” he said. “The opioid money is something they told us we could use this on. We’re waiting on the quote to come in, so we can get it on the agenda and hopefully get it approved.”

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Inside the collapse: 4 firefighters injured in Kan. abandoned structure fire

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April 17, 2026 10:47 AM

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Loveland Fire Rescue Authority Board Chair Jeff Swanty’s resignation follows a months-long dispute that resulted in Fire Chief Tim Sendelbach separating from the agency

April 17, 2026 05:07 PM

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‘A small step in the right direction': N.C. firefighters to receive raises under new pay plan

The Winston-Salem city council approved a nearly $2 million compensation overhaul boosting salaries up to 9.5%

April 18, 2026 08:00 AM

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Firefighters, EMTs and cops holiday shop with 100 Mass. kids

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 20:38:42 GMT

The purpose of Heroes and Helps is to create positive experiences between youth and first responders.

Lowell Police Department / Facebook

By Aaron Curtis
The Sun

LOWELL, Mass. — Holiday cheer filled the aisles of Target earlier this month as first responders helped dozens of children shop for gifts.

Lowell police officers and firefighters, along with state troopers, Pridestar Trinity EMTs, and representatives from the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, took part in the annual Heroes and Helpers event, which brings some holiday spirit to kids from under-resourced neighborhoods.

Each child, paired with a first responder and armed with a $100 gift card, wandered the aisles to pick out gifts, whether for themselves, friends or family.

“Every officer and first responder who volunteered, myself included, were moved by the thoughtfulness and excitement of the kids we were partnered with,” Lowell Police Superintendent Greg Hudon said in a press release about the event. “Heroes and Helpers provides a priceless opportunity for our officers to meet the future of our community during the holiday season. We are truly grateful to all of the organizations that made this possible.”

The program is funded nationwide by Target, which provided $2,500 in gift cards for 100 Lowell youths, ages 10 to 14. The kids were selected based on need with assistance from Lowell Public Schools.

The Greater Lowell Community Foundation and the Police Activities League of Massachusetts (PAL) boosted this year’s event with a $7,500 contribution, helping provide more gifts and expanding the holiday shopping experience for local youths.

“The Greater Lowell Community Foundation is thrilled to partner with Lowell Police and to bring joy and excitement to so many youth in our community during the holiday,” GLCF President and CEO Jay Linnehan said in the release.

Pridestar Trinity EMS chipped in an extra $500 in Target gift cards to cover any children who went over their $100 limit. AT&T also provided funding to PAL, helping strengthen the grant that made the event possible.

Volunteers were easy to find for the holiday shopping trip. Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan even joined the effort, along with several assistant district attorneys and victim witness advocates joining in.

The program is designed to give young people positive experiences with first responders and to build lasting relationships between them and youths from underserved neighborhoods.

It also offers first responders — who often face trauma in their work — a chance to share in a joyful, uplifting experience with the community.

“Being a part of Heroes and Helpers is about far more than holiday shopping, it helps to build genuine connections and trust within the communities we serve,” Ryan said in the release.

Looking to navigate the complexities of grants funding? Lexipol is your go-to resource for state-specific, fully developed grants services that can help fund your needs. Find out more about our grants services here.

Trending

NIOSH

Inside the collapse: 4 firefighters injured in Kan. abandoned structure fire

A NIOSH investigation details how deteriorated conditions, fire below and strategy gaps led to four serious firefighter injuries

April 17, 2026 10:47 AM

Bill Carey

Colo. fire board chair resigns 1 day after recall paperwork filed

Loveland Fire Rescue Authority Board Chair Jeff Swanty’s resignation follows a months-long dispute that resulted in Fire Chief Tim Sendelbach separating from the agency

April 17, 2026 05:07 PM

Legislation and Funding

‘A small step in the right direction': N.C. firefighters to receive raises under new pay plan

The Winston-Salem city council approved a nearly $2 million compensation overhaul boosting salaries up to 9.5%

April 18, 2026 08:00 AM

Apparatus

N.Y. FD adds new pumper truck to boost response times

Troy’s new Engine 2, designed for the city’s hills and dense infrastructure, will serve the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute area as officials continue investing in public safety

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NFFF’s Bill Webb, Firefighter Cancer Support Network receive national fire service leadership awards

The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and Congressional Fire Services Institute honored Bill Webb and the Firefighter Cancer Support Network at the 2026 National Fire and Emergency Services Symposium

March 25, 2026 02:38 PM

Ohio offers $8M in grants to small county volunteer fire departments

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 20:23:27 GMT

By The Portsmouth Daily Times

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Applications are now being accepted for the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of State Fire Marshal’s 2026 Small County Volunteer Fire Department Grant, the department announced on Thursday, Dec. 11.

Established by the 136th General Assembly via House Bill 96, the nonrenewable grant makes a total of $8 million in funding available for eligible fire departments across the state. Eligible fire departments can apply for up to $50,000 each to strengthen their operations, enhance safety and better serve their communities.

| DOWNLOAD: Get grants-ready: A practical guide to winning public safety funding

Funding provided by the SCVFD Grant can be used for, but is not limited to, firefighter equipment and gear, rescue equipment and gear, and costs related to fire protection services. To learn more about the SCVFD Grant and to submit an application, fire departments can visit at com.ohio.gov/FireGrant. Applications will be accepted until Jan. 10, 2026.

To be eligible to receive SCVFD Grant funding, applicants must meet both of the following eligibility requirements:

County Population – Eligible departments must be located in a county that has a population of 70,000 or less per the 2020 U.S. Census. Those qualifying counties include Adams , Ashland , Athens , Auglaize , Belmont , Brown , Carroll , Champaign , Clinton , Coshocton , Crawford , Darke , Defiance , Fayette , Fulton , Gallia , Guernsey , Hardin , Harrison , Henry , Highland , Hocking , Holmes , Huron , Jackson , Jefferson , Knox , Lawrence , Logan , Madison , Marion , Meigs , Mercer , Monroe , Morgan , Morrow , Noble , Ottawa , Paulding , Perry , Pickaway , Pike , Preble , Putnam , Sandusky , Seneca , Shelby , Union , Van Wert , Vinton , Washington , Williams , and Wyandot counties.

Volunteer Fire Department Status – Eligible departments must have a volunteer fire department status as defined under Ohio Administrative Code 1301:7-7-02, which states that at least half of the firefighters are volunteer or paid-on-call and not eligible to pay into the Ohio Police and Fire Pension Fund.

Departments serving multiple counties are eligible only if they are located in a qualifying small county. Non-volunteer departments and departments in counties with over 70,000 residents are not eligible for this grant funding.

“This grant is more than just funding, it’s a lifeline for Ohio’s small county volunteer fire departments, which are the backbone of our state’s fire service,” said State Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon. “These departments often operate with limited resources compared to their larger counterparts, yet they’re first on the scene when their communities need them most. With this support, we’re helping them continue their critical mission of protecting lives and property across Ohio.”

Each year, the Division of State Fire Marshal provides millions in grant funding to the state’s fire departments through other various programs like the MARCS Grant, Equipment Grants, and Training Reimbursement Grants. Additional details about these grants and their recipients can be found at com.ohio.gov/SFMdashboard.

Looking to navigate the complexities of grants funding? Lexipol is your go-to resource for state-specific, fully developed grants services that can help fund your needs. Find out more about our grants services here.

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NIOSH

Inside the collapse: 4 firefighters injured in Kan. abandoned structure fire

A NIOSH investigation details how deteriorated conditions, fire below and strategy gaps led to four serious firefighter injuries

April 17, 2026 10:47 AM

Bill Carey

Colo. fire board chair resigns 1 day after recall paperwork filed

Loveland Fire Rescue Authority Board Chair Jeff Swanty’s resignation follows a months-long dispute that resulted in Fire Chief Tim Sendelbach separating from the agency

April 17, 2026 05:07 PM

Legislation and Funding

‘A small step in the right direction': N.C. firefighters to receive raises under new pay plan

The Winston-Salem city council approved a nearly $2 million compensation overhaul boosting salaries up to 9.5%

April 18, 2026 08:00 AM

Apparatus

N.Y. FD adds new pumper truck to boost response times

Troy’s new Engine 2, designed for the city’s hills and dense infrastructure, will serve the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute area as officials continue investing in public safety

April 18, 2026 12:00 PM

© 2025 The Portsmouth Daily Times (Portsmouth, Ohio).
Visit www.portsmouth-dailytimes.com.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Conn. Fire Academy receives $517K grant for new SCBA, training support

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 17:42:39 GMT

A $517,000 FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant is helping the Connecticut Fire Academy modernize and expand SCBA and equipment used to train firefighters statewide.

Connecticut Fire Academy/Facebook

By Stephen Underwood
Hartford Courant

WINDSOR LOCKS, Conn. — The Connecticut Fire Academy is getting a significant boost in expanding its equipment and gear to help train future firefighters.

Officials with the Connecticut Fire Academy said they have received a $517,000 grant through the Federal Emergency Management Agency. FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program is providing funding to help modernize and expand equipment essential for training firefighters throughout the state, the academy said.

| DOWNLOAD: How to buy SCBA (eBook)

The grant money will pay for new air packs and self-contained breathing apparatus equipment, support training for fire academy recruits and help build out other specialized programs, according to the academy.

“The Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program continues to be vital to the fire service. This award ensures that Connecticut’s firefighters are trained on current, safe and reliable SCBA equipment. Without AFG, the cost of these upgrades would fall directly on taxpayers. This investment supports firefighter readiness and preserves public resources,” said State Fire Administrator Jeff Morrissette.

The Connecticut Fire Academy, located in Windsor Locks, provides a 70-day residential program for recruits and training for state firefighters and municipal fire departments.

“High-quality training depends on high-quality equipment. These SCBA packs protect our instructors and provide realistic, safe training for firefighters who will return home to protect their communities,” said director of training P.J. Norwood.

According to fire officials, the equipment was purchased with the assistance of Connecticut-based vendor MES Life Safety.

Looking to navigate the complexities of grants funding? Lexipol is your go-to resource for state-specific, fully developed grants services that can help fund your needs. Find out more about our grants services here.

Trending

NIOSH

Inside the collapse: 4 firefighters injured in Kan. abandoned structure fire

A NIOSH investigation details how deteriorated conditions, fire below and strategy gaps led to four serious firefighter injuries

April 17, 2026 10:47 AM

Bill Carey

Colo. fire board chair resigns 1 day after recall paperwork filed

Loveland Fire Rescue Authority Board Chair Jeff Swanty’s resignation follows a months-long dispute that resulted in Fire Chief Tim Sendelbach separating from the agency

April 17, 2026 05:07 PM

Legislation and Funding

‘A small step in the right direction': N.C. firefighters to receive raises under new pay plan

The Winston-Salem city council approved a nearly $2 million compensation overhaul boosting salaries up to 9.5%

April 18, 2026 08:00 AM

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