Warner & Kaine Announce Over $20 Million in Federal Grants for Virginia Firefighters
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced over $20 million in federal funding for Virginia fire departments, localities, and organizations. This funding is awarded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and made possible by the Fire Grants and Safety Act, legislation supported by Sens. Warner and Kaine that reauthorized the Assistance for Firefighters (AFG) and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Resources (SAFER) grant programs. The AFG and SAFER grant programs are used by fire departments and localities to address staffing needs, purchase equipment, develop fire training and education programs, and improve emergency medical services.
“Every day, Virginia’s firefighters risk their lives to help and protect our communities,” said the senators. “We are pleased to announce more than $20 million in federal funding that will go towards ensuring our fire departments have the support, training, and resources they need.”
The Assistance for Firefighters (AFG) grant program helps 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. A total of $3,832,551 was awarded to 17 Virginia localities and fire departments for the 2024 Fiscal Year.
The grants are awarded as follows:
- Prince Edward District Court: $135,069
- City of Chesapeake: $93,947
- The Bloxom Volunteer Fire Department: $107,333
- Bassett Volunteer Fire Company, Incorporated: $58,083
- Simmonsville Volunteer Fire Department: $34,149
- City of Petersburg: $74,890
- Appalachia Volunteer Fire Department: $108,095
- County of Shenandoah: $996,363
- Town of Wytheville Town Hall: $114,285
- Woolwine Volunteer Fire Department Inc: $408,000
- County of Chesterfield: $400,000
- City of Virginia Beach: $110,000
- Bachelors Hall Vol Fire Dept Inc: $237,482
- Town of Pembroke Volunteer Fire Department: $225,047
- County of Lousia: $409,298
- Fork Mountain Volunteer Fire Department, Incorporated: $132,190
- Alberta Volunteer Fire Department, Inc: $188,320
The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program provides 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. A total of $15,951,761 was awarded to seven Virginia localities and fire departments for the 2024 Fiscal Year.
The grants are awarded as follows:
- County of Fauquier: $4,500,635
- County of Lousia: $1,698,974
- City of Roanoke: $1,197,887
- Loudoun Fire Rescue Emergency: $3,977,814
- County of Shenandoah: $3,444,108
- Bedford Volunteer Fire Department: $258,000
- City of Winchester: $874,343
The Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) grants are part of the AFG grant program and support projects that enhance the safety of the public and firefighters from fire and related hazards. The primary goal is to reduce injury and prevent death among high-risk populations. A total of $654,896 was awarded to two Virginia fire departments and organizations for the 2024 Fiscal Year.
The grants are awarded as follows:
- South Hill Volunteer Department, Inc: $10,134
- International Society of Fire Service Instructors: $654,762
Warner and Kaine are strong supporter of the Commonwealth’s firefighters, and previously voted to pass the Fire Grants and Safety Act in June 2024. Warner has visited fire stations in Richmond and Suffolk and following the 2024 wildfires across the Shenandoah Valley, met with first responders in Harrisonburg to discuss federal resources for firefighters. In 2024, Kaine met with firefighters from Richmond and Henrico to discuss the reauthorization of the AFG and SAFER Grant programs. He also met with the incoming President of the Virginia Professional Firefighters earlier this year.
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