Staffing for adequate fire and emergency response (safer)

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded Hyattsville Volunteer Fire Department, Incorporated a $485,760 Project Grant on December 19, 2025, under the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Program (CFDA 97.083). The award, with a completion date of December 18, 2029, supports critical staffing initiatives focused on hiring new firefighters and implementing recruitment and retention efforts for volunteer firefighters. These activities directly address the SAFER program's core objective of helping communities meet industry minimum standards and maintain adequate 24-hour staffing to provide fire and emergency response protection.

The grant enables Hyattsville Volunteer Fire to enhance its operational capacity and emergency response capabilities within its Hyattsville, Maryland service area. As a tax-exempt nonprofit organization with a demonstrated track record of successfully managing federal awards, the department will utilize this funding to strengthen local fire protection services and advance operational excellence in emergency preparedness. This award reflects FEMA's merit-based selection process, which evaluates project impact on daily operations, financial need, and cost-benefit analysis among competing applications.