Massachusetts Municipal Public Safety Staffing Program
Forecasted
Massachusetts Municipal Public Safety Staffing Program supports municipalities in restoring and retaining police and fire personnel and covering overtime to maintain public safety and emergency response services.
Funder: Office of Grants and Research
Due Dates (Anticipated): October 2027 (Application)
Funding Amounts: Approximately $6,720,000 total in the SFY2027 competition; up to one year of funding
Summary: Supports eligible Massachusetts municipalities in addressing police and/or fire staffing shortfalls to maintain public safety and emergency response services.
Key Information: Eligibility is limited to ten named municipalities, with qualifying applications approved in fiscal year 2026 required under the SFY2027 guidelines.
Description
The Massachusetts Municipal Public Safety Staffing Program is administered by the Office of Grants and Research (OGR), part of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security. This competitive state-funded program helps eligible municipalities maintain public safety and emergency response services by addressing police and/or fire department staffing shortfalls.
Funding supports restoring laid-off sworn officers and firefighters, retaining personnel who would otherwise be laid off, and restoring staffing lost through attrition or other causes. Municipalities may also request support to restore or retain civilian police and fire employees, or fund overtime needed for adequate shift coverage and staffing levels. The Mayor or City Manager determines whether to seek funding for police, fire, or both, and how funding is allocated between departments.
