The Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (“TDCI”) and the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office (“SFMO”) proudly announce that applications will be accepted starting Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, for $10 million in grants through the Volunteer Firefighter Equipment and Training Grant program.
Created in 2019, the program earmarks monies for the purchase of firefighting equipment (other than fire trucks or vehicles) used to extinguish fires and protect the lives of firefighters or the grants may be used to help fire departments pay or reimburse the cost share for federal grants that have already been awarded. Since the program’s launch in 2020, grants totaling $16.5 million have been provided to Tennessee fire departments to help purchase lifesaving equipment.
Eligible fire departments must hold a valid recognition from the SFMO and have a staff comprised of less than 50% full-time career firefighters. Applications received during the submission period (Nov. 1- Nov. 27, 2024) will be scored internally and submitted to a seven-member committee who will oversee the award selection. The committee is composed of three representatives from the Tennessee Fire Chiefs Association, three representatives from the Tennessee Firemen’s Association, and TDCI’s Assistant Commissioner of Fire Prevention. Per statute, the funds will be awarded equally among Tennessee’s Grand Divisions.
Departments may make application for a grant via the SFMO’s grant application website. On the SFMO grants webpage, you can find grant rules, a blank W-9 form, and additional information.
An application instructional webinar will be held on Monday, November 4, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. CT to walk you through the registration process, which includes filling out the W-9 form, obtaining an Edison supplier ID, and completing the application. The webinar will be held with Microsoft Teams and can be accessed by either downloading Teams to your device or by joining directly from your web browser using the link at the bottom of this mailing.
Please note: This link will not be live until the webinar on Monday, Nov. 4 at 6:00 p.m.
Applications will be accepted from Friday, November 1, 2024 until Wednesday, November 27, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. CT. Applicants with any questions should contact Director of Education and Outreach Michelle Price by email at sfmo.grants@tn.gov.
Meeting ID: 243 828 606 99
Passcode: igaKVx
OR
Dial in by phone
Phone conference ID: 166 421 94#
