Small Equipment Grant Program

The Small Equipment Grant, administered by the Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshal, provides funding to support the purchase of essential small-scale equipment for fire departments and ambulance services across the state. The program is intended to help improve the safety and operational effectiveness of first responders by funding critical equipment purchases that may not otherwise be feasible within existing department budgets. This opportunity is open to both governmental and nonprofit organizations that provide fire protection or ambulance services in Illinois and meet specific compliance and registration requirements. Funding is available on a competitive basis, with up to $6,000,000 in total program funding and individual awards capped at $26,000. A maximum of 230 awards are expected to be issued under this opportunity. Funding must be used exclusively for eligible equipment categorized as Tier I, which includes Personal Infection Control Items, Firefighter Safety Equipment, EMS Emergency Response Equipment, and Vehicle Rescue Equipment. Examples of eligible items include N-95 masks, turnout gear, cardiac monitors, extrication tools, and portable radios. Requests for non-Tier I items will only be considered if funding remains available after all eligible Tier I applications are processed. Applications must be submitted through AmpliFund by 11:59 PM CST on November 14, 2025. The application window opened on September 2, 2025. The grant is not recurring and does not accept rolling submissions. A pre-application is not required, though applicants must meet prequalification requirements by the application deadline. These include current SAM.gov registration and registration in the Illinois Grantee Portal. Entities with an FDID number must also demonstrate compliance with the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) for the period from November 2023 through October 2025. Non-compliance will result in disqualification. Successful applicants will be notified of awards by email, while unsuccessful applicants will receive notification by mail. Questions regarding the grant opportunity or the expenditure reporting process can be directed to Roger Branson at the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal via email or phone. All expenditure reports and proof of use of funds, such as invoices or cancelled checks, must be submitted via AmpliFund within nine months of the grant end date of June 30, 2026. Any recipient who fails to comply with the grant agreement or misuses funds will be required to return the grant award. While there are no technical assistance sessions offered for this funding cycle, applicants are encouraged to review the administrative rules and funding requirements outlined on the program’s official website. Requests for reconsideration from denied applicants must be submitted within 30 days of the date on the denial letter and addressed to the Small Equipment Grant Program office in Springfield, Illinois. The grant strictly prohibits the use of funds for indirect costs, and all purchases must align with the pre-approved equipment list submitted in the application.

Use Tier I equipment list as the primary source when requesting funding; non-Tier I items may not be funded.