Time Remaining to submit your South Dakota Volunteer Firefighter PPE Grant - Must be submitted by October 1st, 2023
URGENT NOTIFICATION: South Dakota Volunteer Firefighter PPE Grant Program application period is NOW OPEN. Applications must be submitted by October 1st, 2023
Information on the program may be found below as well as all of the Application Documents/Forms.
South Dakota Volunteer Firefighter PPE Grant Program Information
During the 2023 Legislative Session, HB 1127 was passed which appropriated funds to the South Dakota Firefighters Association and the South Dakota Department of Public Safety in part to assist with the purchase of firefighter personal protective equipment for volunteer fire departments statewide. This bill was signed by Governor Noem on March 16th, 2023
HB 1127 appropriates $5 million to the Department of Public Safety for the purchase of firefighter personal protective equipment for volunteer fire departments statewide. The funds are being distributed by the State Fire Marshal in coordination with the South Dakota Firefighters Association.
To be eligible, department membership must be at least 70% unpaid, volunteer firefighters.
The Following is the actual text of HB1127
23.566.15 98th Legislative Session 1127
ENROLLED
An Act
ENTITLED An Act to make an appropriation to support volunteer fire departments and to declare an emergency.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of South Dakota:
Section 1. There is hereby appropriated from the general fund the sum of $5,000,000 to the Department of Public Safety, for the purpose of providing grants to support volunteer fire departments in this state.
Section 2. The grants resulting from the appropriation provided in section 1 of this Act may only be used for the purpose of purchasing individual firefighter safety equipment.
Section 3. For purposes of this Act, individual safety equipment is limited to any personal protective equipment worn and used by firefighters in the performance of their duties, including helmets, flash hoods, masks, coats, pants, gloves, boots, breathing apparatuses, spare tanks, and other personal gear that may be required by individual volunteer fire departments.
Section 4. The secretary of the Department of Public Safety shall approve vouchers submitted by the South Dakota Firefighter Association, and the state auditor shall draw warrants to pay expenditures authorized by this Act.
Section 5. For the purposes of this Act, volunteer fire department means any fire department within this state whose membership is comprised of at least seventy percent unpaid and volunteer firefighters.
Section 6. Any amounts appropriated in this Act not lawfully expended or obligated by June 30, 2027, shall revert in accordance with the procedures prescribed in chapter 4-8.
Section 7. This grant will be administered by the South Dakota Firefighters Association under the supervision of the Department of Public Safety.
Section 8. Whereas, this Act is necessary for the support of the state government and its existing public institutions, an emergency is hereby declared to exist, and this Act shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and approval.
Grant Program Documents Needed to submit a complete Application
The following are the application documents which may be downloaded and filled out. They can be submitted via email or printed and mailed. All 4 documents should be downloaded and read.
NOTE: Applications are due and must be submitted by October 1st, 2023.
A Department may only submit 1 application, please ensure your department does not submit more than one application per application period. If all funds are not expended a second application period will be advertised.
If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact your SDFA District Representative or SDFA Board Member.
