For FIre Departments

Fire Department Funding

Find the funding you need to fully staff, train, and equip your fire or emergency medical services department.

Leetsdale Engine Two firetruck.

Funding Opportunities

Browse funding programs from the Pennsylvania Office of the State Fire Commissioner, other Commonwealth funding sources, and federal funding:

 

Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant

Overview

Provides grants to fund:

🏢 Facility improvements

⛑️ Equipment purchase/repair

⬇️ Debt reduction

👩‍🏫 Training and certification

➕ More

Who Is Eligible?

✔️ Volunteer or career fire

✔️ Volunteer or career medical services

✔️ Volunteer rescue

Application Window

Opens annually for 45 days, on or around September 8 through October 23

Funding Amounts

🚒 Up to $20K for fire

🚑 Up to $15K for EMS

Provisions are made for mergers and acquisitions.
 

Fire and Emergency Medical Services Loan Program

Overview

Provides loans at a fixed, 2 percent interest rate to acquire, rehabillitate, or improve:

🚒 Apparatus

🏢 Facilities

⛑️ Equipment

Who Is Eligible?

✔️ Volunteer or career fire

✔️ Volunteer or career medical services

Application Window

Opens annually for 45 days, on or around September 8 through October 23.

Funding Amount

 About $30k to $600k (fluctuates based on project and Consumer Price Index)
 

Municipal Fire Department Grant

Overview

Provides grants to fund:

🏢 Facility modernization

🏦 Acquiring/renovating structures

⛑️ Equipment purchase/repair
 

Who Is Eligible?

✔️ Municipal fire departments

 

Application Window

Opens annually for 45 days, on or around April 15 through May 29.

Funding Amounts

$25k to $100k

Emergency Service Training Center Capital Grant

Overview

Provides grants to fund:

⚒️ Establish/modernize facilities

🏢 Acquire/renovate structures

⛑️ Repair/purchase equipment

Who Is Eligible?

✔️ Emergency services training centers

✔️ Volunteer or career medical services

Application Window

Opens annually for 45 days, on or around April 15 through May 29.

Funding Amounts

$25k to $100k

Unconventional Gas Well Fund Grant

Overview

Provides grants to fund:

 Certification

👨‍🏫 Training 

⛑️ Equipment purchases
 

Who Is Eligible?

✔️ Volunteer firefighters

✔️ Volunteer fire service

 

Application Window

Opens annually for 45 days, on or around April 15 through May 29.

Funding Amounts

$2k to $4k

Volunteer Firefighter Relief Associations (VFRAs)

Overview

These associations are separate, nonprofit organizations that provide insurance and other support to volunteer firefighters. They are governed by specific state laws and must comply with reporting and auditing requirements overseen by us and the Pennsylvania Auditor General.
 

Provides state aid from the Foreign Fire Insurance Tax to fund:

🦺 Safety equipment

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Death/disability benefits

👩‍🏫 Training expenses

☔ Insurance premiums

Who Is Eligible?

✔️ Emergency services training centers

✔️ Volunteer or career medical services