The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal has announced that applications are now being accepted for the Fiscal Year 2027 Small Equipment Grant Program, with $6 million available to help fire departments and emergency medical service providers purchase essential equipment. For the upcoming grant cycle, the maximum award has been increased to $50,000, nearly doubling the previous limit of $26,000.
The program provides funding to eligible fire departments, fire protection districts, township fire departments and not-for-profit ambulance services across Illinois. The grants are designed to assist departments, particularly those with limited financial resources, in purchasing firefighting tools and emergency medical equipment they might otherwise be unable to afford. During the Fiscal Year 2026 grant cycle, the State Fire Marshal’s Office awarded nearly $6 million to 264 fire departments, fire protection districts and EMS providers statewide.
To qualify, applicants must meet National Fire Incident Reporting System and National Emergency Response Information System reporting requirements for the previous two years. Departments must also be pre-qualified through SAM.gov and the State of Illinois Grantee Portal.
Applications must be submitted electronically through the State Fire Marshal’s online application portal.
Additional information, eligibility requirements and application materials are available on the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s website at https://sfm.illinois.gov/currentfocus/fy-27-small-equipment-grant-.html