Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue was awarded a $502,730 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency on March 27, 2023. The SAFER grant program aims to help local fire departments enhance staffing and deployment capabilities to respond to emergencies and ensure adequate community protection from fire and fire-related hazards. Under this project grant, Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue will utilize the funding to support staffing activities through June 17, 2027 in Kelso, Washington, enabling the fire department to better serve the emergency response needs of its jurisdiction.