10/06/2026
INVESTING IN RURAL MICHIGAN FIRE DEPARTMENTS
THROUGH A $856,145 FEMA SAFER GRANT AWARD
We're excited to announce that MiREMS and the Michigan Association of Fire Chiefs (MAFC) are partnering on a new $856,145 federally funded initiative to strengthen recruitment and retention of volunteer and paid-on-call firefighters across rural Michigan!
The funding, awarded to MAFC through FEMA's Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program, will support a four-year collaborative effort to help rural fire departments build and maintain the workforce they need to serve their communities.
The project will reach across 32 counties in northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula, providing much-needed resources and support to rural fire departments facing workforce challenges. Through this initiative, we'll work alongside departments to:
• Develop recruitment and retention strategies that fit their
communities
• Launch regional campaigns to attract new firefighters
• Provide tuition assistance for firefighter certification training
• Offer leadership development and retention training
• Support youth recruitment and mentoring programs
• Build local capacity to sustain recruitment efforts long-term
We're grateful for the opportunity to partner with MAFC on this important work and look forward to supporting the departments and dedicated firefighters who serve rural Michigan every day.
Stay tuned as we share more information about the project and opportunities for departments to get involved!
