Grant Funding Opportunities for International Fire Departments

Belmopan Belize firehouse and fire trucks

Up to this point, we have focused the information on grant funding to grants available to assist fire departments in the United States of America. Firefighting, fire safety, fire prevention, education, and departmental capabilities are important across the globe. There may be differences in how countries structure their departments, what gear they use, or what they call themselves, but one similarity is that in many parts of the world there still remains a significant need for funding. In order to highlight the need for support as well as funding opportunities available in areas other than the U.S.A., this month we will discuss several challenges departments around the world face and financial resources that are available globally for fire departments, fire brigades, and local community organizations.

Doing Whatever it Takes

In some parts of the world, the fire and rescue services are funded through a combination of government taxes, insurance billing (even for fire calls), and direct billing to the home or business owner. These types of systems, which include what we usually call volunteer or combination fire departments, work when there is the population and tax base to support these systems, such as in the United Kingdom¹. Taxes can be raised and they can transition full-time firefighters to what they call “on retainer.” It is like being a volunteer with a small paycheck. These budget cuts can severely effect the ability of fire departments to survive and provide service.

In other parts of the world, the situation is more desperate. For example, in Belize, there are 17 fire stations that cover the entire country. Some have been shut down due to lack of equipment. The Belize National Fire Service lacks an infrastructure, basic safety and communications equipment, as well as training for their volunteer personnel. However, every station that is open still finds a way to cover a 24-hour shift so they are able to respond to assist the community. Without a tax base to support departments, equipment, and personnel, a creative strategy was put in place to improve the fire service throughout the country. One Virginia firefighter who was born in Belize created a non-profit to provide basic fundamentals and training to the Belizean National Fire Service. What started out as a passion project is now a called “Belize Heroes.” Through donations and exchange programs fire personnel are getting the training and equipment they need—in fire as well as in EMS. This has vastly improved the capabilities and safety of the entire Belizean National Fire Service². Check out their Facebook page. The progress this non-profit has made on an entire country is inspirational!

Thinking Holistically

It may not be possible for you to set up a non-profit or partner so closely with a national fire service. There are still ways departments around the world can apply for additional funding. One way is to look for grant opportunities through international insurance and risk management companies. We may not think too much about how insurance companies play a part in the American fire service today, aside from charging higher rates to homeowners in no water zones, but they are still closely tied to billing and payments for fire brigades and departments in other countries. To support safer communities, they can offer assistance. For example, FM Global has a fire prevention grant program that can be used by fire departments, brigades, national, state, regional, and local entities to “support fire prevention, preparedness and control efforts, including preincident planning, fire prevention education/training and arson prevention/fire investigation.”³ A department or community organization would have a great deal of flexibility in applying for funds with this company.

There are other grants and funding sources that have more specific uses, but can still benefit fire and EMS departments as well as the local, regional, or national entities as a whole. One of these is The Global Fund. This is a large health-based organization focused specifically on eliminating HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis. While this may not seem relevant in the American fire service, internationally these are still significant issues. Many departments do not even offer EMS or have the proper personal protective equipment to protect themselves or the community from these diseases. This grant has very specific rules to follow, but a country or locality may be able to receive a large sum to upgrade their health services⁴. Another unique and brand-new program is offered by Zurich Insurance. It is called the Resilient Community Impact Fund (RCIFund) and has been created to help urban communities withstand chronic stressors as well as acute shocks such as natural disasters and cyber-attacks. E-mail the organization directly for more information about this unique program⁵.

Act Locally

There are many international readers of this publication. It is challenging to find all the funding resources available in countries across the globe. If you are outside of the U.S.A., take some time to explore local government programs, volunteer organizations, and local business entities that have an interest in supporting a safe and healthy community. It may also be beneficial to develop new partnerships in order to improve the capabilities of your department. Taking a chance to build new relationships, like Belize Heroes did, can make a real difference in the lives of firefighters and the communities they serve.

Mandy George is a retired lieutenant in the Chesapeake (VA) Fire Department. She has a master’s degree in emergency and disaster management, a master’s degree in professional writing, and an associate’s degree in emergency medical services. She is also a Nationally Registered Paramedic (NRP) and a Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services (VAOEMS) Education Coordinator.