Librarian
IFSI Library Information
Library Hours:
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Monday - Friday
Special operating hours may be held during events.
IFSI Library Staff:
Lian Ruan, Head Librarian: lruan@illinois.edu
Diane Richardson, Reference & User Training Librarian: dlrichar@illinois.edu
David Ehrenhart, Assistant Director for Library Operations: ehrenha1@illinois.edu
IFSI Library Facebook:
Disclaimer:
This guide was last updated in August 2025. Some grants may be past their application dates by the time this guide is accessed; please read grant postings carefully! This guide also lists some grants that are offered annually. Check and see if the one you're interested in will open up again next year.
Government Grant Opportunities
These grants are available to fire departments/fire training academies/firefighters/EMS organizations in the United States.
Note: Temporary Pause of Agency Grant, Loan, and Other Financial Assistance Programs
On January 27, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under President Trump issued a memorandum titled “Temporary Pause of Agency Grant, Loan, and Other Financial Assistance Programs.” The directive mandates Federal agencies to temporarily suspend the obligation and disbursement of federal financial assistance while conducting a comprehensive review of programs and awards to ensure alignment with the administration’s policies and priorities. As part of this review, agencies are also instructed to temporarily suspend the issuance of new program solicitations.
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FEMA Fire Service Grants and Funding"Under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) grants programs, career and volunteer fire departments and other eligible organizations can receive funding through three different grants to:
• "Enhance a fire department’s/safety organization’s ability to protect the health and safety of firefighters and the public." (Assistance to Firefighters Grants)
• "Assist fire prevention programs and support firefighter health and safety research and development." (Fire Prevention and Safety Grants)
• "Increase or maintain the number of trained "front line" firefighters available in communities." (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grants) -
US Department of Homeland Security Grant Resources"Offered by FEMA and other government agencies, our Grants Resources page lists resources where First Responders can obtain grants for a range of needs, including firefighter grants, emergency medical service grants, and pre-disaster mitigation grants. For a more comprehensive list of federal grants, searchable by keyword or other criteria, visit Grants.gov. On Grants.gov, the first responder community can also learn about the federal grants lifecycle and grants management policies."
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Community Wildfire Defense Grant Program"Community Wildfire Defense Grants (CWDG) helps communities and Tribes plan for and reduce wildfire risk and implement the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy. The $1 billion five-year competitive grant program... prioritizes communities that: are in an area identified as having high or very high wildfire hazard potential, are low income or, have been impacted by a severe disaster within the previous 10 years which increased wildfire risk and/or hazard."
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Data to support Community Wildfire Defense GrantsThe Wildfire Risk to Communities team has developed data to support the Forest Service’s Community Wildfire Defense Grant program. These data can be used by communities to evaluate eligibility and prepare applications.
These grants are available to fire departments/firefighters/EMTs in the state of Illinois.
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The Illinois Fire Service Institute Cornerstone Program Blended Training Program"The Illinois Fire Service Institute Cornerstone Program supports fundamental and essential skills training for fire departments and mutual aid organizations throughout the state. The training is coordinated through eight IFSI Regional Representatives who work with local departments in determining specific training needs and scheduling relevant training opportunities. Funding for Cornerstone Program courses is supported through the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal so training is delivered at no cost to students or local fire departments."
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Illinois State Fire Marshall Grants Information WebsiteIncludes information about the Fire Station Construction and Rehabilitation Grant, Small Equipment Grant Program, Ambulance Revolving Loan Program, Fire Truck Revolving Loan Program, and Fire Station Revolving Loan Program.
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Illinois American Water Firefighter Grant ProgramThe Firefighter Grant Program provides financial assistance to uniformed, professional and volunteer fire departments serving communities in the company’s designated service territories, including sale-for-resale areas within Illinois American Water service territories.
Private Grant Opportunities
These grants are available to fire/EMS/public safety departments in the United States.
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Firefighters Charitable Foundation Grants"The Firefighters Charitable Foundation continues to provide assistance to those in need. Grants are given to assist local fire/disaster victims, fire prevention education, volunteer fire department equipment purchase, and community safety programs."
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Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation"Our Mission is to impact the lifesaving capabilities, and the lives of local heroes and their communities. This is accomplished by providing lifesaving equipment and prevention education tools to first responders and public safety organizations. All requests must fall within our Foundation's funding guidelines which can be found on our website via firehousesubsfoundation.org/about-us/funding-areas."
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Leary Firefighters Foundation Grant Program"The Leary Firefighters Foundation considers grant requests for training, equipment, and technology for fire departments, both paid and volunteer, in the US." The Foundation accepts Letters of Inquiry from May 1st-August 15th each year. Those departments invited to submit a full proposal will be contacted with further information and deadlines.
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Gary Sinise Foundation First Responders Outreach GrantsThe Gary Sinise Foundation provides grants for equipment and training to first responder departments, prioritizing volunteer and underfunded departments. Grants are available year-round. This site provides contact information for many services provided by the organization in addition to grants.
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Good Neighbor Firefighter Safety ProgramState Farm® and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) are proud to team up for the Good Neighbor Firefighter Safety Program to help resource-constrained volunteer fire departments secure needed equipment. The program launched in 2024 with $1 million in grants awarded to 100 departments.