Fire Equipment Grant Program Applications Now Available
By: John LaMacchia,
July 22, 2026
The Michigan Department of Treasury (Treasury) is re-opening the Fire Equipment Grant
Program.
Applications for the Fire Equipment Grant Program are now available for electronic submission. The due date for submissions is September 30, 2026. Below is a brief overview of the grant program.
Purpose:
The Fire Equipment Grant Program was established under Public Act 22 of 2025 to provide
funding to local units of government (local governments) for the purchase of fire equipment for all firefighters and/or fire gear for on-call, part-time, or volunteer firefighters. Local government is defined as a city, village, township, or tribal government, or an authority or commission established by a county, village, city, or township by resolution, motion, or charter.
As a one-time appropriation, Treasury was appropriated $8.0 million for the grant program,
and at least $4.0 million must be distributed to local governments with predominately on-
call, part-time, or volunteer fire departments.
Grant expenditures must be incurred between October 1, 2025, and September 30, 2030.
Eligibility:
Any local government within the State of Michigan is eligible to apply.In order to qualify for a Fire Equipment Grant, local governments must submit electronically a completed Fire Equipment Grant Program Application (Form 5874), along with a proposed grant budget detailing how grant funds will be used to purchase fire equipment for all firefighters and/or fire gear for firefighters who are on-call, part-time, or volunteer.
Grant awards of up to $50,000 may be issued to eligible local governments. Awards are
contingent on available funding and may be lower than requested.
Funding Priority:
Funding will first be prioritized for local governments that directly employ firefighters or have direct authority, supervision or operational control of firefighters. Award amounts will be prorated to ensure all local governments within this priority group receive funding. If additional funds remain, other local governments may be considered. However, based on anticipated demand, Treasury does not expect funding to be available beyond the priority group.
Application Deadline:
Applications must be signed and submitted (by the local government’s Chief Administrative Officer or designee) electronically no later than September 30, 2026.
To request access to the electronic application, visit the Michigan Electronic Signature (eSignature) Solution.
Note: Any application that is submitted without required signatory delegation documentation will be denied.
Program Modifications Since Suspension:
- Fire Equipment is an allowable expense for all firefighters.
Note: Fire gear remains limited to firefighters who are on-call, part-time, or volunteer. - No local government can be awarded more than $50,000.
- The option to request reimbursement at the time of application has been eliminated.
Application
- Request an Application for the Fire Equipment Grant Program
- Online Application Guide
- Application Instructions
Previously Submitted Applications:
Local governments that already applied may reapply using the revised Fire Equipment Grant Program Application. If a new application is not submitted, Treasury will process the original application on file.
Additional information can be found by visiting the Fire Equipment Grant Program website.
John LaMacchia is the League’s director of state & federal affairs. He can be reached at [email protected] or 517-908-0303.