SPRINGFIELD – The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM) today announced the application period is now open for the FY27 Small Equipment Grant Program. OSFM will award a total of $6 million to eligible fire departments, fire protection districts and not-for-profit ambulance services across Illinois to purchase small firefighting and emergency medical equipment.
For FY27, OSFM has increased the maximum grant award to $50,000, nearly doubling the previous maximum of $26,000.
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During the FY26 grant cycle, OSFM awarded nearly $6 million to 264 fire departments, fire protection districts and EMS providers across the state.
Interested departments and ambulance services must submit applications electronically utilizing the application portal that can be found on the agency’s website.
“Every firefighter deserves to have the right tools and equipment when they answer the call,” said Illinois State Fire Marshal Michele Pankow. “By increasing the amount departments can receive through our Small Equipment Grant Program, we are putting more resources in the hands of the departments that need them. This additional funding can make a real difference, helping departments purchase equipment they may not otherwise be able to afford and ultimately helping keep firefighters and Illinois communities safer.”
This program is an innovative approach to a problem that has long caused difficulties for the fire departments and not-for-profit ambulance services in Illinois, particularly those that have hardships in generating the necessary revenue for small equipment. The grants allow eligible applicants the opportunity to purchase small tools and equipment that they may otherwise not be able to purchase. Most Illinois fire departments, fire protection districts, and township fire departments are eligible to apply. In addition, stand-alone, not-for-profit ambulance service providers are eligible to apply.
It’s important to note that applicants must meet certain pre-qualification requirements in order to be considered for a grant. These include:
- Being NFIRS and NERIS compliant for the previous two years (October 2024 – September 2026)
- Being pre-qualified with SAM.gov and the State of Illinois Grantee Portal.
Additional information including the application can be found here:
https://sfm.illinois.gov/currentfocus/fy-27-small-equipment-grant-.html
