ATLANTA – This week, FEMA awarded more than $72 million in grant funding for fire departments and other first responder organizations in FEMA Region 4.
FEMA disburses this money to support firefighters and other emergency personnel because they are often the first ones on the scene when disaster strikes. They play an essential role in keeping American communities safe. By empowering these emergency responders to strengthen and expand their capacity, FEMA is contributing to the nation’s overall resilience.
FEMA is administering these funds through its three Fiscal Year 2025 fire grant programs: the Assistance to Firefighters Grants, Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant program, and Fire Prevention and Safety grant program. FEMA published the funding opportunities in May 2026, making $648 million available across all three programs. Over the next week, FEMA will continue awarding these funds directly to fire departments, first responder agencies, and other organizations focused on fire prevention and firefighter safety.
The funding announced today in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee includes more than $61.5 million under FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters Grants. Recipients can use this money to outfit responders with compliant personal protective equipment, acquire emergency response vehicles, and develop health, wellness, and resiliency initiatives to prepare responders for incidents. Examples of awards include:
- $1 million for volunteer fire departments in Cordova, Alabama.
- More than $995,000 for fire departments in Lee County, Mississippi.
- More than $879,000 for fire departments in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee.
- More than $636,000 to the Nicholson Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department, Inc. in Nicholson, Georgia.
FEMA also awarded more than $8.1 million under its Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant program. Recipients can use the money to cover personnel costs for firefighters, as well as recruitment efforts and retention programs. Examples of awards include:
- More than $1 million to the Maury County Fire and Rescue, Inc. in Columbia, Tennessee.
- More than $638,000 for volunteer fire departments in Holmes County, Florida.
- Nearly $617,000 to the Sawyerdale Fire Department in North, South Carolina.
- More than $579,000 to the South Side Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. in Albermarle, North Carolina.
FEMA also awarded more than $2.4 million under its Fire Prevention and Safety grant program. Recipients can use the money to fund scientific research and technology development that will strengthen community fire prevention programs and/or improve firefighter safety, health and well-being. Examples of awards include:
- More than $767,000 to The Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston.
- More than $333,000 for fire departments in Orange County, Florida.
- More than $254,000 to the Dekalb County Department of Finance in Georgia.
FEMA will continue awarding funding for its Fiscal Year 2025 fire grant programs over the next week. For information on all the awards issued thus far, visit the fire grants programs webpages: Assistance to Firefighters Grants, Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response, and Fire Prevention and Safety.
###