FEMA Delivers Nearly $1.4 Million to Help Fire Departments and Other First Responder Organizations in Vermont

This week, FEMA awarded almost $1.4 million in grant funding for fire departments and other first responder organizations in Vermont. FEMA disburses this money to support firefighters and other emergency personnel because they are often the first ones on the scene when disaster strikes. They play an essential role in keeping American communities safe. By empowering these emergency responders to strengthen and expand their capacity, FEMA is contributing to the nation's overall resilience.

FEMA is administering these funds through its three Fiscal Year 2025 fire grant programs: the Assistance to Firefighters Grants, Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant program, and Fire Prevention and Safety grant program. FEMA published the funding opportunities in May 2026, making $648 million available across all three programs. Over the next week, FEMA will continue awarding these funds directly to fire departments, first responder agencies, and other organizations focused on fire prevention and firefighter safety.

This funding is part of nearly $32.5 million in grants to the six New England states under three Fiscal Year 2025 fire grant programs: the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG), Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program, and Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) grant program.

The funding announced today in Vermont includes nearly $1.4 million under FEMA's Assistance to Firefighters Grants. Recipients can use this money to outfit responders with compliant personal protective equipment, acquire emergency response vehicles, and develop health, wellness, and resiliency initiatives to prepare responders for incidents. The awards include:

• Beecher Falls Volunteer Fire Dept.: nearly $162,000 for firefighter breathing apparatus
• Proctorsville Fire Dept.: more than $67,000 for firefighter training
• Stamford Volunteer Fire Company: nearly $33,000 for CPR devices and cardiac defibrillators
• Vermont Department of Public Safety: nearly $173,000 for training equipment
• Vershire Volunteer Fire Dept.: nearly $167,000 for firefighter breathing apparatus
• West Fairlee Volunteer Fire Dept.: more than $50,000 for firefighting hose and appliances
• Town of Highgate: more than $133,000 for firefighter breathing apparatus
• Town of Ludlow: nearly $275,000 for firefighter turnout gear, Personal Protective Equipment washer/dryer, hose and portable radios
• Town of Springfield: nearly $267,000 for cardiac monitors and power cot/power lift systems
• Town of Weathersfield: nearly $67,000 for a vehicle exhaust removal system

FEMA will continue awarding funding for its Fiscal Year 2025 fire grant programs over the next week. For information on all the awards issued thus far, visit the fire grants programs webpages: Assistance to Firefighters Grants, Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response, and Fire Prevention and Safety.