“Firemen never die, they just burn forever in the hearts of the people whose lives they saved.”
– Susan Diane Murphree
In an era where wildfires are growing in intensity and frequency, the need for well-trained first responders has never been more critical. The Creating Opportunities for Relevant Experience (CORE) Wildland Fire Training Crews grant, now accepting applications, aims to fill this gap by offering vital training and experience to women, veterans, and youth. However, while the program stands ready to develop the next generation of wildland firefighters and managers, its funding remains uncertain pending future fiscal year funding decisions.
The grant itself will provide organizations with direct training from the National Forest Service (NPS) in the following areas:
- Entry-level overview of wildland firefighting
- NPS wildland fire career pathways and overview
- First Aid/CPR
- S-130 Wildland Firefighter training
- S-190 Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior
- L-180 Human Factors in the Wildland Fire Service
- I-100 Introduction to the Incident Command System
- IS-700 NIMS An Introduction
- S-212 Wildland Fire Chainsaws
CORE crewmembers will work with NPS-trained professionals to gain on-the-job training and be mentored in wildland fire suppression. The ages of the crewmembers will range from 16-30 for non-veterans and 16-35 for veterans. If nonprofit and government-run fire departments need help paying for the training of the next generation of firefighters, this program will aid with the financial burden. Applicants can ask for up to $200,000 to participate in this program. Applications are open now until May 21st, 2029; however, the agency is highly encouraging applicants to submit as early as possible to secure funding priority. This grant is categorized as a Master Cooperative Agreement so specific task orders will be sanctioned with corresponding funding amounts.
Eligible Applicant(s):
- 501(c)(3) Non-profit
- State government
- Federally recognized Tribal government
At USFCR, we recognize the importance of supporting those on the front lines in more ways than one. Not only do we assist first responders in securing federal contracts and grants like the CORE Crews initiative, but we also actively engage in the field. By attending events such as the upcoming Disasters EXPO USA in Los Angeles on September 5th and 6th, our team stays at the forefront of the latest innovations and opportunities. If a member of your team is looking to connect with members of our team at the event, please reach out to info@usfcr.com so that we may set up a meeting with one of the attending representatives. This hands-on approach ensures we can pass along critical knowledge to our clients, empowering them to make a difference when it matters most.
The USFCR team is committed to learning how to better support the heroes battling these natural disasters. We hope that, regardless of pending political shifts, the funding for the CORE Crews program will be approved, providing young people with a crucial pathway into a rewarding and impactful career in wildland firefighting.
Interested in learning more or gaining a partner in your application? Please contact USFCR’s Grant Writing Team at (877) 252-2700 and complete the grant assessment below for further assistance and a member of our staff will be in contact.
Don't miss out on the funding that could elevate your project to the next level!
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SOURCES
1. Park Service, National. 2024. “FAMD-1443-001 Notice of Funding Opportunity v. 2023-01_CORE Crews__Final_04262024_SV.” Creating Opportunities for Relevant Experience (CORE) Wildland Fire Training Crews, May, 4.
2. Fortem Flood Inc. 2024. “Disaster Expo California.” Disaster Expo California. 2024. https://www.disasterexpocalifornia.com/features/tech-on-fire-trail/.
