FY 2025 SAFER Recruit and Retention Grant Workshop
Forecasted
FY 2025 SAFER Recruit and Retention Grant Workshop highlights support for volunteer firefighters, funding recruitment, training, and retention projects to strengthen community emergency response staffing.
This grant was recently updated
FEMA now lists the FY 2025 SAFER Recruitment and Retention workshop for May 28, 2026, from 10 a.m. to noon EDT, held virtually. The webinar covers the program, application process and tips for preparing to apply.
Funder: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Due Dates (Anticipated): June 2027 (Full application deadline)
Funding Amounts: FY 2025 Recruitment and Retention award examples: $199,940, $1,729,064, and $1,938,584
Summary: SAFER Recruitment and Retention supports recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters to strengthen community emergency response staffing.
Key Information: Career fire departments are not eligible for the Recruitment and Retention Activity.
Description
FEMA’s Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program provides funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations to increase or maintain trained, front-line firefighters. Its Recruitment and Retention Activity supports volunteer firefighters involved with or trained in firefighting and emergency response, including paid-on-call personnel.
Supported work includes marketing campaigns, recruitment incentives, training programs, and retention initiatives addressing staffing challenges. Projects aim to produce measurable improvements in firefighter numbers and community safety, emphasizing sustainability and replicable practices. The broader SAFER program helps departments meet National Fire Protection Association staffing, response, and operational standards, including NFPA 1710 and/or NFPA 1720.
