To schedule a “Find the Funds / Grant Writing” workshop, FREE for fire departments, please contact Jeff Bryant at info@dingesfire.com, or visit our Upcoming Events or Training Events pages to check for workshops that may already be scheduled in your area!  Workshops provided to departments in DFC’s service area (Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Indiana, Missouri, and Minnesota).

Grant opportunities vary from state to state.  Stay current by checking with your local, regional and state government entities for new federal or state funds made available.

Grants are reserved for Law Enforcement Departments, Fire Departments, and Paramedic or EMS departments. Grant requests are limited to Equipment and Training only Building costs, or operating costs are not covered under this grant. Departments that receive grants are barred from re-applying for another grant for a period of 1 year.

Eligibility Requirements: All First Responder Departments mentioned above are eligible to submit grant applications; however, the Gary Sinise Foundation First Responder Outreach Department prioritizes volunteer, low, and underfunded departments. Fire departments awarded grants for turnout gear will be sent Gary Sinise Foundation “Donated By” patches to be added to the coats, at no cost to the department.

Grants are given to local fire/disaster victims, fire prevention education, volunteer fire department equipment purchase, and community safety programs. If you or your organization applies for a grant, please be sure to describe how funding will be utilized and whether this is an ongoing or one time program and/or equipment purchase.

The following grants are specific to equipment:

· AED (Automatic External Defibrillator) This grant is available nationally to an organization that would like to implement an AED program for their community.

· Fire Department Equipment Program This grant is available for Volunteer (and Paid) Fire Departments to purchase firefighting equipment like tools, clothing and other necessary items

· Community Smoke Detector Program This grant is available for Volunteer Fire Departments, Safe Kids Coalitions, and other organization to assist with implementation of a smoke detector battery replacement program in their local community.

The Emergency Response Equipment Grant Program supports rural communities in our service area by funding emergency response equipment for volunteer fire, rescue and ambulance departments.

Application Period: August 1 to August 31. Eligible rural volunteer fire, rescue or ambulance departments must be located in or providing direct services within Compeer’s 144-county territory.

The primary goal of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) is to meet the firefighting and emergency response needs of fire departments and non-affiliated emergency medical service organizations.

Since 2001, AFG has helped firefighters and other first responders obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training and other resources necessary for protecting the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards.

The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grants (SAFER) was created to provide funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations to help them increase or maintain the number of trained, “front line” firefighters available in their communities.

The goal of SAFER is to enhance the local fire departments’ abilities to comply with staffing, response and operational standards established by the NFPA (NFPA 1710 and/or NFPA 1720).

Fire departments and brigades, as well as national, state, regional, local and community organizations can apply for funding to support a wide array of fire prevention, preparedness and control efforts, including pre-incident planning, fire prevention education/training and arson prevention/fire investigation.

Bayer Fund awards grants for projects focused on our four priority giving areas: Food & Nutrition, STEM Education, Health & Wellness and Community Development. Applicants must be located within approximately 55 miles of an eligible Bayer site community (Bayer communities). Obtain an invitation code from your Bayer Fund site contact. Note: The America’s Farmers Grow Communities program provides funding opportunities in communities around the country.

There is a wide range of information available regarding all aspects of fire department operation including funding sources for operations, facilities, firefighter equipment, fire trucks and training, and first responder emergencies. This Online guide includes general rural fire information, training programs, statistical information and publications on fire-related issues. This online guide was originally developed by the Rural Information Center in 2006. This was updated and last modified: October, 2021.

Purpose and Background of Illinois Heart Rescue:
As a state-funded nonprofit, the Heart Rescue Project aims to improve how out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is recognized, treated, and measured in the State of Illinois. With a state population of over 12 million, Illinois Heart Rescue (ILHR) strives to make a significant public health impact in our nation by creating a model for cardiac arrest outcomes in both rural and large urban centers.

Mission of the EMS Placement AED Grant:
The ILHR EMS Placement AED Grant (EPAG) was developed to provide financial assistance in the form of a FREE automated external defibrillator (AED).  The defibrillator may be placed anywhere in your community, based on the discretion of the EMS agency. Placement in the community can include community-based organizations (CBOs), faith-based organizations, or schools.

Purpose and background of Illinois Heart Rescue:
As a state-funded nonprofit, the Heart Rescue Project aims to improve how out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is recognized, treated, and measured in the State of Illinois. With a state population of over 12 million, Illinois Heart Rescue (ILHR) strives to make a significant public health impact in our nation by creating a model for cardiac arrest outcomes in both rural and large urban centers.

Mission of the Community AED Grant:
The ILHR Community AED Grant (CAG) was developed to provide financial assistance in the form of an automated external defibrillator (AED) for organizations including but not limited to, community-based organizations (CBOs), faith-based organizations, or schools within the State of Illinois with an end goal of ensuring life-saving timely defibrillation in the event of a Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA).

SCA is an abrupt disruption of the electrical conduction portion of the heart that ensures a consistent cardiac rhythm (heart rate). SCA shows no prejudice and can occur in both children and adults. In addition, SCA can also occur to individuals with no preexisting cardiac or medical issues. Statistically in the US, approximately only one out of 10 people with SCA survive. However, a timely bystander response with immediate bystander CPR and early defibrillation can double to triple survival. The Community AED Grant provides both an AED and bystander CPR education to organizations at no cost.