Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant

The Iowa Firefighters Association (IFA) was awarded an impressive $1,489,500 in SAFER Grant funding, covering a period from December 22, 2024, through December 22, 2028. This critical funding provides valuable support to volunteer fire departments across Iowa, helping them recruit, equip, and retain the dedicated individuals who serve their communities.

Through the SAFER Grant, the IFA offers a range of impactful resources and programs designed to strengthen local firefighting capabilities and ensure safety standards:

  • PPE Reimbursement for New Recruits: Ensuring new firefighters have access to essential personal protective equipment (PPE), supporting safety from their first day on the job.

  • Marketing Recruitment Kits: Providing departments with customized recruitment materials to engage prospective firefighters, raise awareness of volunteer opportunities, and promote community involvement.

  • Advanced Firefighter Training: Supporting departments by reimbursing costs for advanced firefighting courses, including Firefighter II, Fire Officer, and specialized technical rescue training. This initiative ensures volunteers have access to higher-level instruction that enhances operational effectiveness, leadership skills, and overall scene safety.

The SAFER Grant is a transformative investment in Iowa’s volunteer fire services, ensuring communities have the protection they need and fostering a new generation of firefighters ready to serve.

Questions? Contact Taylor Moore at SAFER@iafireassn.org or 402-326-4347

Personal Protective Equipment & Physical Reimbursement

Personal Protective Equipment, required documents:

  • Invoice and Proof of Payment for costs of personal protection equipment for new recruit with recruit’s name referenced; reimbursable items include boots, pants, coats, gloves, (ANSI)-approved retro-reflective hoods, goggles, and helmets.

    • Up to $3,600 reimbursement per set of full structural PPE. The ensemble will only be provided to new firefighters recruited since the start of the grant program (12/22/2024).

  • Fit for Duty Sign-Off Form for the Volunteer.

    • Up-to $750 per NFPA 1582 physical examination is eligible for reimbursement.

  • The newly recruited member must complete Firefighter-1 level training prior to receiving reimbursement for PPE.

    • A copy of an invoice for the coursework that includes the description of the course enrolled and the firefighter that attended.

    • Up-to $150 for Firefighter I Certification testing is eligible for reimbursement.

  • All PPE paid for with these grant funds must be delivered to the department before the grant ends on December 22, 2028.

Physical, required documents:

  • Completed Fit For Duty Sign-Off Form.

  • Invoice and Proof of Payment with Volunteer’s name referenced.

    • Up-to $750 per NFPA 1582 physical examination is eligible for reimbursement.

  • You may use your own Primary Care Provider to complete this physical.

  • Newly recruited Volunteers must be at least 18 years old to be eligible for this benefit.

Application for Reimbursement
Reimbursement Form
Fit For Duty Sign-Off Form
Submit Your PPE Reimbursement Form Here

Marketing Recruitment Kits

Complimentary recruitment kits available to Iowa volunteer fire departments courtesy of the IFA SAFER grant.

Each kit includes:
1 Mesh Banner or Vinyl Banner (3'x8')
100 Posters
200 Postcards

*Each kit will be redesigned with the departments logo and colors.
Quantities are limited, so don’t wait—help us grow Iowa’s fire service one recruit at a time!

Kit #1 - Duty Calls

Kit #2 - Home

Recruitment Kit Brochure

Kit #3 - Your Town

Recruitment Kit Order Form

Advanced Firefighter Training

Through our SAFER Grant program, firefighters may receive reimbursement for attending and successfully completing advanced training courses designed to strengthen departmental capabilities and individual professional development.

Eligible courses for reimbursement include:

  • Firefighter II

  • Driver Operator (Pump and Aerial)

  • Fire Investigator

  • Fire Inspector I

  • Fire Instructor I and II

  • Fire Officer I and II

Reimbursement Form

Advanced Training, required documents:

  • Completed Reimbursement Form

  • A copy of an invoice for the coursework that includes the description of the course enrolled and the firefighter that attended.

  • Proof of payment for the training attempted/completed (cancelled check or bank statement showing withdraw of funds to the vendor).

Submit Your Training Reimbursement Form Here