Coral Springs secures more than $3 million in federal grants to hire 12 firefighters and expand community safety programs
Coral Springs, Florida – Coral Springs has received more than $3 million in federal grant funding that will help the city hire additional firefighters, improve fire safety education and provide new health and wellness programs for emergency personnel.
The funding comes through three Federal Emergency Management Agency programs and will support the Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department, according to the city.
Most of the money will go toward increasing the department’s staffing.
Coral Springs received $2,670,793 through FEMA’s Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response program. The funding will allow the department to hire 12 new firefighters.
City officials said the additional personnel will strengthen staffing levels on some of the department’s busiest units and improve its ability to respond to emergencies.
Fire Chief John Whalen said the funding represents an investment in both department personnel and the public.
“These grants are a significant investment in the safety of both our firefighters and the communities we serve,” Fire Chief John Whalen said in a statement.
In addition to hiring firefighters, Coral Springs will use federal funding to expand its public fire safety education efforts.
The city received $275,238 through FEMA’s Fire Prevention and Safety program to purchase a new fire safety and emergency training trailer.
The mobile resource will be used to provide hands-on safety instruction to children and families throughout the community.
Coral Springs was one of only six cities in Florida selected to receive funding through that FEMA program, according to the city.
A third award will focus on the health and readiness of current firefighters.
FEMA awarded the city another $90,909 through its Assistance to Firefighters Grant program. That money will support training and wellness initiatives for members of the Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department.
The programs will focus on improving firefighters’ physical readiness while helping reduce occupational injuries. Funding will also support efforts aimed at protecting the long-term health of department personnel.
City Manager Catherine Givens credited city employees for their work in obtaining the competitive federal awards.
“Their efforts allow us to make important investments in public safety while reducing the financial impact on local taxpayers,” Givens said.
The latest awards are part of a broader effort by Coral Springs to obtain outside funding for local programs and projects.
During fiscal year 2026, the city reported securing a total of $8,045,534 in grant funding.
That money has supported a range of community priorities, including public safety, infrastructure and emergency preparedness.
The three latest FEMA awards will now direct more than $3 million toward the city’s fire and emergency services, with the largest share going toward the 12 new firefighter positions.
The remaining funding will allow the department to expand safety education for residents while investing in training and wellness programs intended to keep its firefighters healthy and prepared for emergency response.
