The Bowie VFD is fortunate to be the recipient of a $1,877,900 Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant from FEMA. SAFER Grants are intended to provide funding to fire departments and other organizations to help them increase or maintain the number of trained firefighters available in their communities. This page provides information for members about the benefits available to operational members under the grant [PDF].

The two principal benefits programs funded by the grant include a stipend for operational members based on points accrued quarterly, and a tuition reimbursement program. Grant funds cannot be used to hire career firefighters or EMTs. Money also is available for recruiting and retention activities that contribute to increasing operational membership to provide emergency responses in the community.

The stipend is based on a point system, and members wishing to participate must sign a Memorandum of Agreement.