Houston fire receives nearly $10M in federal funding

Houston Fire Department receives nearly $10M in federal funding for hiring push

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Published October 20, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. CT

Houston Fire Department receives nearly $10M in federal funding for hiring push

Houston Fire Department received nearly $10 million in federal funding to help with hiring firefighters. (Cassandra Jenkins/Community Impact)

The Houston Fire Department received nearly $10 million in federal funding for training, recruitment and retention efforts.

The gist

Sen. John Cornyn’s office announced that through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), HFD would be one of a handful of departments in Southeast Texas to receive funding through the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grants program.

The program was created to provide funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter organizations to help them increase or maintain the number of trained, "front line" firefighters available in their communities, according to the grant website.

HFD received $9.9 million, which will be used for hiring more firefighters.

“Texas is home to some of the nation’s bravest and most highly skilled first responders and firefighters who consistently go above and beyond the call of duty and risk their own safety to help others,” Cornyn said. “These resources will provide critical support to fire departments and equip our heroes with the tools needed to continue saving lives.”