Municipal Fire Department Capital Grant

The Municipal Fire Department Capital Grant Program (MFDCGP) was established under Act 104 of 2022 and is administered by the Pennsylvania Office of the State Fire Commissioner (OSFC). This initiative aims to provide critical capital funding to municipal and combination fire departments across Pennsylvania that meet specific staffing and recognition criteria. The primary goal of the program is to strengthen the infrastructure and operational capacity of eligible fire departments to improve their readiness and effectiveness in emergency response situations. Eligible applicants for this program include municipal fire departments and combination fire departments that are recognized by the Office of the State Fire Commissioner and are staffed with at least two employees paid directly by the municipality to respond to fire emergencies. Departments must also be budgeted through the local government and formally recognized by ordinance. The grant program is restricted to fire departments within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and is not open to volunteer-only departments or fire organizations outside the municipal structure. The MFDCGP offers awards ranging from $25,000 to $100,000 per recipient. Funding may be used for a variety of capital expenditures directly related to fire department operations. These include establishing or modernizing facilities that house firefighting equipment, ambulances, or rescue vehicles; acquiring or renovating structures for such purposes; and repairing or purchasing necessary firefighting, ambulance, or rescue equipment. The program focuses specifically on improvements that enable departments to provide proper and adequate training, reflecting an emphasis on both operational safety and preparedness. To apply for the grant, eligible departments must first ensure they are properly registered with a Keystone Login through the Pennsylvania Commonwealth system. In addition, applicants are required to possess an active Commonwealth Vendor Number and ensure that their direct deposit (ACH payment) information is correctly entered into the Pennsylvania Supplier Portal. These registration steps must be completed prior to submitting an application, as they are essential for contract and payment processing. The application window for the 2026 cycle will open on April 15, 2026, and will close at 4:00 p.m. on May 29, 2026. Late applications and extension requests will not be accepted. All applications must be submitted through the designated online portal. Questions regarding the program should be directed to the OSFC at [email protected]. Full program details, including eligibility, application requirements, and eligible uses of funds, are available through the official Capital Grant Guidance and NOFO documents provided by the OSFC. While the program is not designated as recurring, a list of prior recipients from 2025 has been made available, illustrating the competitive range of awards granted. These include departments from cities such as Altoona, Bradford, Harrisburg, and Warren, with awards ranging from $12,419 to $96,235. However, applicants are advised to refer to the current year’s guidance, as past award amounts do not determine future funding. Notifications of awards are expected to follow after the application deadline, with disbursements processed through the ACH system.