The FEMA Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant program, known as SAFER, helps fire departments and volunteer firefighter organizations increase staffing, improve recruitment, and strengthen emergency response capacity.
For many communities, staffing is one of the biggest barriers to reliable emergency response. SAFER grants can help departments hire firefighters, support volunteer recruitment and retention, and move closer to the staffing levels needed to protect residents, businesses, and critical infrastructure.
What the SAFER Program Funds
SAFER funding generally supports two major activity areas:
Hiring of Firefighters
SAFER grants can help fire departments increase the number of frontline firefighters available to respond to emergencies. This may include funding for firefighter salaries and benefits tied to improving staffing levels and emergency response capabilities.
Recruitment and Retention of Volunteer Firefighters
SAFER can also support recruitment and retention efforts for volunteer and combination departments. This may include programs designed to attract new volunteers, retain existing members, improve training participation, and strengthen long-term department capacity.
Why SAFER Matters
Fire and emergency response agencies are facing growing demands, including severe weather events, aging infrastructure, workforce shortages, increased call volumes, and expanding public safety responsibilities.
A strong SAFER application should clearly explain the staffing challenge, the community risk, the operational need, and how the proposed funding will improve response capabilities.
How BRC Can Help
Berquist Recovery Consulting can assist with:
- SAFER eligibility review
- Application strategy and project scoping
- Staffing and response needs documentation
- Recruitment and retention program development
- Narrative writing and application review
- FEMA GO application support
- Supporting documentation organization
- Coordination with municipal, fire, EMS, and finance teams
Preparing a Strong SAFER Application
Departments considering a SAFER application should begin gathering:
- Current staffing levels
- Call volume and response data
- Recruitment and retention challenges
- Volunteer participation trends
- Budget and financial information
- Community risk factors
- Mutual aid impacts
- Department service area details
- Documentation of staffing gaps or delayed response concerns
The stronger the documentation, the easier it is to show why the funding is needed and how it will improve public safety.
Current & Future SAFER Funding Opportunities
FEMA’s FY 2025 SAFER application period opened May 19, 2026 and is scheduled to close June 22, 2026 at 5 p.m. ET.
Departments interested in applying should move quickly to review eligibility, gather documentation, and prepare their application.
Even if your organization is not ready for the current cycle, future SAFER funding opportunities may become available. Fire departments and EMS agencies can still benefit from preparing staffing data, recruitment information, operational documentation, and supporting materials ahead of future grant windows.
Get Help With Your SAFER Grant Application
If your fire department, EMS agency, municipality, or volunteer firefighter organization is considering a SAFER grant application, AFG Grant or Fire Prevention and Safety Grants, BRC can help you evaluate the opportunity and prepare a stronger submission.
Contact Berquist Recovery Consulting to discuss your SAFER grant needs.