SFY 2025-2026 Recruitment and Retention Grant

The SFY2025-2026 Recruitment and Retention Grant Program is administered by the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES), specifically through the Office of Fire Prevention and Control. This initiative was developed in response to ongoing challenges related to the recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters and emergency service personnel across New York State. The grant is grounded in Sections 209-G and 630-b of the New York State Tax Law and Section 99-q of the State Finance Law, which guide its competitive funding process. The program allocates up to $1 million in total for the state fiscal year 2025–2026, with individual awards capped at $25,000. The objective of the program is to support and enhance local and regional recruitment and retention strategies through a variety of allowable expenditures. The initiative prioritizes efforts that build leadership capacity, create youth pipeline programs, develop health and wellness initiatives, and fund outreach events and marketing efforts. Among preferred expenditures are leadership training at the National Fire Academy, attendance at job fairs and community events, support for Explorer or other youth engagement programs, marketing campaigns (including digital signage and multi-media advertising), and the implementation of new health and wellness programs that meet NFPA standards. Only certain types of organizations are eligible to apply. These include volunteer fire companies or departments composed of at least 50% volunteers, municipalities and fire districts applying on their behalf, nonprofit volunteer EMS organizations, and statewide nonprofit organizations representing volunteer fire or EMS personnel. Applicants must be located in and serve communities within New York State. Ineligible entities include for-profit organizations, federal fire departments, and departments affiliated with DHSES. Nonprofit applicants must be prequalified in the New York Statewide Financial System (SFS) by the application deadline. Failure to meet eligibility or prequalification requirements will result in disqualification. Applications must be submitted electronically through DHSES’s E-Grants system. Required documentation includes an application worksheet and a prequalification confirmation document for nonprofits. Applications are due by 5:00 PM on September 10, 2025, and all questions regarding the grant must be submitted in writing by noon on September 3, 2025. Applicants must affirm compliance with National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) requirements and confirm that Fire Chiefs and Assistant Chiefs meet NYS Best Practices for Fire Department Training Programs or will do so within six months of award. Each application must include a project description, prioritized budget, training details if applicable, implementation and sustainment plans, and documentation of personnel and leadership training status. Regional partnerships are encouraged and can receive up to five bonus points. Applications featuring leadership development training may also earn up to five bonus points. Final evaluation is based on a two-tier review, with Tier 1 focusing on eligibility and completeness, and Tier 2 evaluating budget plans, alignment with program objectives, and overall quality. Applications scoring below 30 points will not be considered for funding. Questions about the program can be directed to Grant.Info@dhses.ny.gov or by calling 866-837-9133. Award decisions will be made in Fall 2025 by the Commissioner of DHSES. All contracts are subject to approval by the State Comptroller and Attorney General. Funding is provided on a reimbursement basis and must be used within one year of award. The grant requires adherence to New York State procurement laws and mandates participation in certain state-sponsored training and certification programs.

Review best practices in Exhibit A; ensure goals and objectives are measurable; build a realistic budget; plan for sustainability and evaluation.