National Volunteer Fire Council, AES Safer Tomorrow Fund Provides $200,000 to Local Fire Departments
Communities all around the United States rely heavily on volunteer fire, emergency medical services and rescue departments, yet they frequently struggle to acquire the funds necessary to obtain the resources they require to perform at their highest level. AES and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) have teamed to create the AES Safer Tomorrow Fund in order to help close this financial gap. Local departments will receive a total of up to $200,000 to assist them in meeting urgent requirements.
10 qualified volunteer fire, EMS and rescue departments will each receive up to $20,000 through the AES Safer Tomorrow Fund to strengthen operational readiness, increase community resilience and improve responder safety. Equipment, training, emergency preparedness and prevention, recruitment and retention and other high-priority sectors are also eligible for grants.
"At AES, we strive to be a positive force, supporting local communities beyond the energy our projects provide,” said Lara Hamsher, senior director of stakeholder relations and social impact for AES. “Our partnership with NVFC will allow us to expand the AES Safer Tomorrow Fund and further invest in community safety, preparedness and resilience.”
“The NVFC is proud to partner with AES to ensure that local volunteer departments have the resources they need to safely and effectively serve their communities,” said NVFC Chair Steve Hirsch. “These grants will go a long way in increasing responder readiness and strengthening community resilience.”
Departments must serve eligible geographic locations that host an AES energy project, be legally organized fire, EMS or rescue services with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, be made up of at least 50 percent volunteers, and have the staff, resources, and capacity to complete the proposed project in order to be eligible to apply for a grant. Departments having at least one active NVFC member will be given precedence, even though NVFC membership is not required.
Visit here to apply and view the complete list of qualifying conditions, including acceptable geographic locations. The deadline for applications is Jan. 15, 2027, at 12 p.m. EST.
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Ryan Baker is a writer and associate editor with prior experiences in online and print production. Ryan is an associate editor for Firehouse with a master's degree in sciences of communication from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. He recently completed a year of teaching Intro to Public Speaking at UW-Whitewater, as part of his graduate program. Ryan acquired his bachelor's degree in journalism in 2023 from UW-Whitewater, and operates currently out of Minneapolis, MN. Baker, also writes freelances for the Ultimate Frisbee Association (UFA) in his free time, while also umpiring baseball for various ages across the Twin Cities Metro Area.