Local Training Support Grant

The Local Training Support Grant is administered by the Indiana Fire and Public Safety Academy, a division of the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, which is responsible for supporting training and certification for fire service personnel across the state. The Academy provides structured training opportunities and resources to ensure that fire departments maintain operational readiness and meet safety standards. This funding opportunity is part of the Academy’s broader mission to strengthen Indiana’s fire training infrastructure by investing in the maintenance and sustainability of training environments. The purpose of the grant is to enhance local training capacity by funding the repair, maintenance, and upkeep of training facilities, equipment, and props used in state-supported fire service training. Rather than funding new capital purchases or expansion projects, the program is specifically designed to ensure that existing training assets remain safe, functional, and compliant with applicable standards. This includes structural upkeep of training buildings, servicing of training-dedicated equipment, and consumables necessary for training operations such as propane or foam. Funding is provided through a competitive process with awards capped at ten thousand dollars per department. Applicants may request funding for multiple eligible items, provided each item is justified within the budget. Allowable costs include maintenance or repair of training-specific equipment, structural upkeep of training props and facilities, and safety-critical repairs required to continue training operations. Costs that are not allowable include personnel expenses, operational costs unrelated to training, capital construction, or the purchase of entirely new equipment not tied to maintenance or replacement. Eligibility is limited to public safety entities within Indiana, including career, combination, and volunteer fire departments, as well as training centers or regional training sites. Applicants must demonstrate active involvement in state-funded training within the past year and provide documentation showing that the equipment or facility is used for training purposes. Additional requirements include compliance with NFIRS or NEMSIS reporting and submission of a complete application package that includes a project description, cost estimates or vendor quotes, and justification linking the request to state training objectives. The application process is conducted through a designated Smartsheet form and must be completed in a single session. Required components include organizational information, project summary, detailed budget with justification for each line item, and responses to questions addressing training impact, NFPA standards, and community benefit. Only one application per department is permitted. Applications are evaluated based on relevance to state training priorities, urgency and safety impact, demonstrated use of facilities, cost effectiveness, and the applicant’s history of supporting statewide training initiatives. The application period for this funding cycle runs from June 1 through June 30, 2026, with submissions due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date. Award notifications are anticipated around September 1, 2026. The performance period spans from September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2027, during which all funded activities must be completed. Reimbursement is contingent upon proper documentation, and recipients must submit a final report summarizing accomplishments and impact by the end of the performance period. This grant is offered on an annual basis and prioritizes applicants who have recently hosted or supported state-funded training courses. Preference is given to departments that contribute facilities, equipment, or personnel to statewide training efforts. Recipients must also meet administrative requirements, including vendor registration and compliance checks with state agencies, before funds can be disbursed. The program emphasizes accountability, documentation, and alignment with statewide training goals to ensure continued investment in high-quality fire service training infrastructure.

Prioritize clear justification linking each budget item to training safety and state objectives; demonstrate recent participation in state-funded training; provide complete documentation to avoid disqualification