The grant clock is ticking

AFG, SAFER, and Fire Prevention and Safety grants are open — and the clock is already ticking toward the June 22 deadline. For Lexipol grant specialist Jane Prescott, it's the fire service equivalent of the Super Bowl: Hundreds of millions of dollars in available funding, a compressed application window and departments across the country scrambling to get their requests submitted. Prescott joins Zam and Fire Chief Jason Caughey to cut through some of the biggest misconceptions surrounding federal grants, including who is really competitive, how peer reviewers evaluate applications and why departments should focus on telling an honest story instead of submitting a wish list. They also spotlight often-overlooked opportunities like FEMA's microgrant program, which can help departments secure funding for high-priority needs without pursuing a larger-scale project. Whether you're writing the grant, supporting the process or simply wondering why your department isn't pursuing funding opportunities, this discussion offers a practical roadmap for turning need into a competitive application before this year's window closes. Resources: Federal grants open: AFG (equipment), SAFER (staffing), Fire Prevention & Safety FireRescue1 Fire Grant Center: Find grant-related news, funding opportunity updates, application guidance, expert grant-writing resources and educational content. GrantFinder: Learn how to navigate the grant process end to end, so you can win more funding for the equipment, staffing and programs your team depends on. Contact our team. Email bettereveryshift@firerescue1.com to share your feedback.