Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, through the Office of the State Fire Commissioner, administers the Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program for fiscal year 2025–2026. This program provides direct financial assistance to fire companies, emergency medical services, and rescue squads across the state. Its central goal is to strengthen and enhance firefighting, ambulance, and rescue capabilities, ensuring that emergency responders have the facilities, equipment, and training needed to serve their communities effectively. Funding for the program is appropriated from the State Gaming Fund as outlined in section 1720-C(c) of the Fiscal Code, and the program is governed by Chapter 78 of Title 35 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes. Applicants include both volunteer and career fire companies, volunteer rescue squads, and eligible emergency medical service providers officially recognized by their municipalities. To maintain eligibility, fire companies must actively report incidents on a monthly basis via the Pennsylvania Fire Information Reporting System (PennFIRS). Emergency medical services must be designated as the municipality’s primary EMS provider but are not required to report through PennFIRS. Organizations must also demonstrate compliance with all grant agreements from prior years and cannot be delinquent on state emergency services loan repayments. Grant funds may be applied toward a wide range of eligible projects. These include the construction, renovation, or repair of facilities and furnishings directly tied to firefighting, ambulance, or rescue operations; the purchase or repair of equipment, including fuel for company vehicles; debt reduction associated with eligible facilities and equipment; training and certification of members; and fire prevention and community risk reduction education for the general public. Career departments may also apply for funds to offset overtime costs incurred when staff attend training. Additional categories include recruitment and retention initiatives, such as programs for minors and volunteer firefighter service award programs. A special option exists for fire companies to place funds in a Construction Savings Account for the purpose of constructing a new facility, though these accounts are tightly regulated and cannot be amended once established. The application period for the 2025–2026 cycle opens on September 5, 2025, at 8:00 AM and closes on October 20, 2025, at 4:00 PM. Applications must be submitted online using the state’s Keystone ID system and the Egrants portal. All applications must be complete, accurate, and follow the instructions provided in the official program guidance. Incomplete applications will be rejected. Once submitted, the Office of the State Fire Commissioner has up to 60 days to approve or disapprove applications, with final award notifications expected by December 19, 2025. Approved applicants will then need to electronically sign a grant agreement no later than May 31, 2026. Agreements will be transmitted by July 31, 2026, and final expenditure reports must be filed by September 1, 2026. Funding amounts range from a minimum of $2,500 to a maximum of $20,000 for fire companies, and from $2,500 to $15,000 for emergency medical service providers. The exact amount awarded will depend on project eligibility, the number of certified personnel, and the availability of funds, which may be prorated to ensure fair distribution among applicants. Joint projects involving three or more separately chartered companies are eligible for enhanced award consideration, provided that each participating organization commits at least $5,000 to the project. While the program seeks to fund as many applicants as possible, not every request will be fully funded due to limited appropriations. Organizations must keep detailed records of how funds are used, maintain supporting documentation for at least five years, and submit a final report with receipts, invoices, or lender documentation where applicable. The Office of the State Fire Commissioner conducts annual audits of 400–600 grant recipients to ensure compliance. Misuse of funds, failure to report, or fraudulent application information may result in disqualification, repayment obligations, or ineligibility for future grant cycles. Questions about the program may be directed to the Office of the State Fire Commissioner via email at ra-vfcvasgp@pa.gov or by calling 1-800-670-3473. Written correspondence, including checks for unexpended funds, should be sent to the Office of the State Fire Commissioner, FCEMS Grant Program, 1310 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110-9364. This program represents a key funding source for local emergency response organizations in Pennsylvania, supporting both operational readiness and long-term resilience.