Press Release | Fire Department Awarded FEMA Hiring Grant

September 29, 2025

Muskegon Fire Department Awarded FEMA Grant to Hire Three Firefighters

The Muskegon Fire Department is proud to announce it has been awarded a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Program. The grant will provide $708,463.02 in funding to support the hiring of three additional firefighters for the next three years.

The SAFER Program was established to help fire departments increase the number of trained, frontline firefighters in their communities, ensuring they can meet industry standards and respond effectively to emergencies. With this grant, the Muskegon Fire Department will enhance its capacity to deliver vital emergency medical services to Muskegon residents.

“This grant is a tremendous benefit to our department and our community,” said Tim Kozal, the Director of Public Safety for the City of Muskegon. “By adding three new firefighters to our team, we will improve response times, increase firefighter safety, and continue delivering the high level of service our residents expect and deserve.”

The funding covers two-thirds of salaries and benefits for three years. When the three-year SAFER grant ends, the City is committed to continuing the employment of these three firefighters to ensure long-term public safety.

The City of Muskegon extends its thanks to FEMA and the SAFER Program for their commitment to supporting local fire departments and ensuring safer communities.