Senate Bill 1720 - Fire Equipment Grants
Grant Overview
Senate Bill 1720 provides the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management to establish a new program to provide grants to fire districts across Arizona to help enhance their fire suppression efforts. Through SB 1720, fire districts in rural communities are eligible to apply for grant funding to help:
- Purchase capital equipment necessary to respond to public safety emergencies, including fire engines, ambulances, radio telecommunications, uniforms and equipment
- Construct or renovate fire stations
- Purchase and provide emergency alert services that are available through a mobile application or other means
DFFM has approximately $4.9 million in grant funding to improve fire protection and prevent capabilities for all recognized Arizona fire districts. For this grant program cycle, the minimum amount of $100,000 and not to exceed $400,000, per eligible fire district. Applicants can only submit *one* project proposal.
Media Release - Wednesday, December 20, 2023
How to Apply
This grant is now closed. Application results will be released in April.
vement grants. All recognized Arizona fire districts are eligible to apply. Fire districts do not need matching contributions, but they will strengthen the competiveness of each application and projects may be prioritized according to matching efforts. Please review all documentation before beginning the application process. All necessary documents related to the SB 1720 - Fire Department Equipment Grants can be found on the portal page at: gn.ecivis.com/GO/gn_redir/T/1p7aucg6buyon. All applications will only be accepted through that portal and will be accepted through February 2, 2024 at 9:00 pm - Arizona time.
For questions related to the grant itself, please contact Aaron Casem at [email protected]. For questions in regards to the application process or the portal system, please contact the Grants Program Coordinator at 602-761-0285.
Fire District Vs. Fire Department - What's the Difference?
A fire district is a taxing body authorized by the County Board of Supervisors to levy a tax for the express purpose of providing fire and medical services to the citizens living within the approved boundaries of the district. They are funded primarily by these taxes and not through any appropriation from county budget. They are governed by an elected board and employees are employed by the board.
A municipal fire department is a branch of city or town government and is funded as such from the city or town coffers. The area of responsibility for a municipal dept is typically the incorporated boundaries of the city or town. Protection outside of these boundaries is done under contract or agreement with the pertinent governing body.