FY 2025 SAFER Recruitment and Retention Activity
Forecasted
FY 2025 SAFER Recruitment and Retention Activity supports fire departments and volunteer firefighter organizations in recruiting and retaining volunteers to maintain frontline emergency response staffing.
This grant was recently updated
FEMA replaced the application-period notice with an announcement that FY2025 SAFER awards were announced September 30, 2026, and posted award recipients. Unsuccessful applicants will receive letters through their authorized organization representatives; post-award resources are coming soon.
Funder: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Due Dates (Anticipated): June 2027 (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: FY 2025 Recruitment and Retention award examples: $199,940, $1,729,064, and $1,938,584
Summary: Supports recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters to help communities maintain adequate frontline fire and emergency response staffing.
Key Information: Career fire departments are not eligible for the Recruitment and Retention Activity.
Description
The Federal Emergency Management Agency’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 the number of trained frontline firefighters available in their communities. Its Recruitment and Retention Activity supports recruitment and/or retention of volunteer firefighters involved with or trained in firefighting and emergency response operations.
SAFER aims to help local fire departments meet staffing, response, and operational standards established by the National Fire Protection Association, including NFPA 1710 and/or NFPA 1720. The broader program supports adequate protection from fire and fire-related hazards, 24-hour staffing, and traditional fire department missions. Recruitment and Retention is distinct from SAFER’s Hiring Activity, which supports hiring, rehiring, or retaining paid firefighters.
