Staffing for adequate fire and emergency response (SAFER)

The Vance Fire Department received a $489,000 Project Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) under the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Program (CFDA 97.083) on December 19, 2025. This four-year award, with a completion date of December 18, 2029, will fund the hiring of new firefighters and support recruitment and retention initiatives for volunteer firefighters. The SAFER program provides direct funding to eligible fire departments to help communities meet industry minimum standards, attain 24-hour staffing capabilities, and provide adequate protection from fire and fire-related hazards.

The Vance Fire Department, a non-profit organization based in Vance, South Carolina, will utilize the award to enhance its operational capacity and emergency response capabilities through personnel staffing expansion. This represents the department's most recent federal grant award and contributes to its established track record of receiving FEMA funding to strengthen firefighting and emergency services. The award was issued directly without sub-contractor partnerships and recipients must accept the award within 30 days of the award date through the FEMA Grants Outcomes (FEMA GO) portal.