SFFMA SAFER Grant Updates - EFFECTIVE AUGUST 1, 2026
• PPE Eligibility: Departments with an annual operating budget of $75,000 or less are
eligible. SAFER Committee approval is required before purchasing PPE for
reimbursement.
• Fit for Duty Requirement: To be added to the pre-approval list, each volunteer
firefighter must complete a Fit for Duty physical and submit the completed form
and proof of payment. Physicals are reimbursable for up to $750 per firefighter.
• PPE Funding Limit: Up to 3 sets of PPE per department, with reimbursement up to
$3,800 per set.
• Training Eligibility: Departments with an annual operating budget of $75,000 or
less may apply for Basic and Advanced Training assistance.
• Training Funding Limit: Up to $2,500 per department, not to exceed $750 per
firefighter.
• Training Travel Costs: Mileage, hotel, and per diem expenses are not eligible for
reimbursement for Basic and Advanced Training.
• Recruitment & Retention (R&R) Workshops: Mileage and hotel expenses are
eligible for reimbursement. Per diem is not eligible.
• R&R Hotel Rates: Hotel reimbursement is limited to the GSA rate or the
conference hotel rate.
• Grant Impact: These limits help stretch SAFER funds and support more volunteer
firefighters statewide.
• SAFER Reimbursements: Departments may continue to submit reimbursement
requests under SFFMA #4. Due to overlapping grant cycles, reimbursements are not expected to be distributed until 2027
