Our firefighters and EMS personnel put their lives on the line to protect our communities, and they deserve reliable equipment to do their jobs safely. Unfortunately, replacing that equipment can be a significant expense, especially for smaller departments working with limited budgets.
I encourage local departments to consider applying for the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s FY27 Small Equipment Grant Program, which is now accepting applications.
More than $6 million is available statewide, with grants of up to $50,000 for eligible fire departments, fire protection districts, township fire departments and not-for-profit ambulance services. Last year, 260 departments and EMS providers received funding through the program.
Applications are due November 30, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Applicants must complete required registrations through SAM.gov and the state’s GATA portal and submit both required grant applications online.
I hope eligible departments will take advantage of this opportunity to secure the equipment they need to continue serving our communities.
Review eligibility requirements and application instructions here.
