Fire services training grant

Important dates

Overview

The Fire Services Training Program (FSTP) Grant provides funding to assist communities in ensuring their local fire services are adequately trained to respond safely and effectively to identified community risks.

Key outcomes of the program include:

• preserving public safety in Alberta
• ensuring local authorities are effectively managing community risks
• ensuring fire fighters are able to receive training in alignment with best practices

For more information, read the Fire Services Training Program Grant Guidelines 2025 document.

Funding

The grant is meant to supplement training costs. Organizations may only receive a portion of the requested grant amount, and are expected to make up the difference in the training costs Funding is provided as a lump-sum payment to the hosting municipality, First Nation, or Metis Settlement.

• In 2025, the FSTP has $500,000 in total grant funding to distribute to successful applicant organizations.
• Distribution of funds is dependent on the relative scoring of approved applications and the total number of applications received. Successful applicants will receive a lump-sum payment as part of a Conditional Grant Agreement (CGA) signed between the minister and the organization.
• Total grant amounts will depend on the applications received and the evaluation scores of each application. In previous years, the maximum grant awarded to any one application was approximately $10,000. (Note: essential training will be given priority in the evaluation process.)
• Unused grant funds must be returned to Municipal Affairs.

Eligibility

Applicants

Applicant must represent one of the following:

• Alberta municipalities, including municipal corporations and regional services commissions
• Metis Settlements in Alberta
• First Nations communities in Alberta
• partnerships of the above or partnerships with a municipality as the primary applicant

Ineligible entities include:

• individuals
• for-profit business or corporations
• applicants with overdue FSTP Grant requirements from a previous year

Eligible costs

Eligible costs include, but are not limited to:

• fire services course fees
• cost of facility rental for the purposes of offering training
• training materials
• instructor expenses
• reasonable costs for student travel and meals
• in-house instructor fees (Note: funds are not intended to subsidize an employee’s full-time salary, but may be paid to volunteers as contractors.)

Ineligible costs

Ineligible costs include:

• capital or equipment purchases, repairs, upgrading or maintenance
• wages, stipends, or honoraria for students (Note: reasonable costs for student travel and meals are eligible. Contact us if you have questions.)
• training delivered outside Alberta
• Incident Command System courses
• training completed prior to receiving minister approval
• rental of owned classrooms and equipment

How to apply

Step 1. Read the guidelines

• Fire Services Training Program Grant Guidelines 2025

Step 2. Complete the application package

• FSTP Grant Application 2025
  • Note: Fillable PDF forms do not open properly on some mobile devices and web browsers. To complete the form, save the form to your computer and open it using Adobe Reader. 

Step 3. Submit the application package

All applications must be received by 11:59 pm on September 30, 2024.

Email or mail the completed and signed application, along with your budget and supporting documents, to:

Grant and Contract Administrator
Technical and Corporate Services Division
Alberta Municipal Affairs
16th Floor, Commerce Place
10155 – 102 Street NW
Edmonton, AB  T5J 4L4
Email: [email protected]

Application evaluation

Applications are evaluated on the following criteria:

• alignment with strategic focus of the training:
  • training aligns with the specific needs of the community and its identified fire risks or its community risk assessment
• quality of the training:
  • training is based on industry best practices or curriculum
  • instructors and evaluators are qualified and experienced
• overall completeness of the application:
  • training application information is legible and provides information necessary to fully assess eligibility

Successful applicants

All applications are evaluated after the application deadline. Letters will be issued to all municipalities, First Nations, and Metis Settlements that applied, notifying them of funding decisions. A list of recipients will also be posted to here.

Successful applicants are required to sign the CGA to receive funds. Training cannot start until after the minister (or their delegated representative) signs the CGA.

The terms of the agreement include:

• the use of the grant for approved purposes only
• eligibility
• reporting and accountability requirements
• the minister’s right to audit any project
• the minister’s right to require a refund of any grant funds not used in accordance with the agreement

The minister’s decisions regarding grant funding are final.

First Nations applicants

First Nations must submit a Band Council Resolution along with the signed CGA.

Reporting requirements

The reporting document is provided to successful applicants. Grant recipients must submit documentation to demonstrate that:

• the total grant received was used in accordance with the CGA
• receipts and invoices were provided and paid
• the training provided matches the information provided in the application
• the municipality or First Nation did not use any portion of the grant to carry out training before the original CGA was signed by the Minister of Municipal Affairs (or their designated representative)
• course(s) were completed by May 31, 2025, or by the completion date as stated in an amended CGA

Extensions and change requests

Extension or course change requests must be received prior to April 1, 2026.

Any material changes to the training plan, schedule or budget approved under this grant will require notification to, and approval by, Alberta Municipal Affairs.

Contact

Connect with the grants coordinator if you have any questions about the program or guidelines:

Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 1-866-421-6929
Email: [email protected]