Federal Grant Award Summary

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded a $1.39 million Project Grant to the Menlo Park Fire Protection District on September 1, 2025, under the National Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) Response System program (CFDA 97.025). This three-year award, extending through August 31, 2028, funds the operations and readiness of the Menlo Park Fire / CA-TF3 Division, a specialized urban search and rescue task force designated as part of the nation's 28-unit National US&R Response System. The district utilizes grant funding to support comprehensive management and administrative operations, specialized training and exercises, procurement and maintenance of vehicles and specialized equipment, and personnel operations necessary to maintain task force readiness for response to Presidentially declared major disasters and emergencies.

The Menlo Park Fire Protection District provides critical urban search and rescue capabilities focused on structural collapse incidents and other catastrophic events, including earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, and aircraft accidents. The grant supports the district's ability to conduct around-the-clock operations to locate survivors and assist state and local emergency responders in disaster recovery efforts. Additionally, the district has received sub-grant awards from the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services to fund personal protective equipment, materials, and supplies required for task force operations. This funding represents part of FEMA's sustained commitment to maintaining operational readiness across the distributed National US&R Response System.