Energy Transfer First Responder Fund

About

Empowering Emergency Responders in Our Communities

Supporting Our Neighbors and Those Who Protect Them

With approximately 140,000 miles of pipelines and associated assets in 44 states, Energy Transfer is committed to the safe, environmentally sound and efficient operation of our pipeline systems. Part of our commitment to safe operations involves building relationships with emergency responders who protect and serve the communities where we operate.

Established in 2016, Energy Transfer’s First Responder Fund has helped emergency response organizations enhance their rescue capabilities by helping to fund trainings; replacing or upgrading rescue equipment, including personal protective equipment and turnout gear; purchasing rescue engines and all-terrain vehicles; upgrading facilities; and more. To date, our First Responder Fund has supported the brave men and women protecting our communities through more than $2.25 million in grants.

What the First Responder Fund Covers

The First Responder Fund is designed to assist local fire departments, emergency medical services, police departments and other eligible first responder organizations located near our energy infrastructure. The program aims to address the needs of these organizations by providing funding for:

  • Firefighter, emergency responder equipment
  • Modifications to stations and facilities
  • Training including:
    • First responder/emergency medical responder training
    • National Incident Management System (NIMS)-Incident Command (ICS)
    • Utility protection
    • Vehicle rescue
    • Hazardous materials (hazmat)
  • Firefighter personal equipment including:
    • Boots, pants, coats, gloves, hoods, goggles, helmets, and coveralls
    • American National Standard Institute (ANSI-approved retro-reflective gear)
    • PPE for hazardous materials and other specialized incidents 
    • EMS activities (coats, trousers and jumpsuits must meet NFPA or OSHA standards)

Supporting First Responders is Important

Many first responder organizations, particularly those that are all volunteer, face financial challenges. Rising equipment costs and increasingly stringent federal standards make it difficult to maintain and upgrade essential gear. The First Responder Fund helps bridge this gap, enabling organizations to continue their vital work without compromising safety or effectiveness.

How to Apply for Funding

For Energy Transfer to assess your organization’s request, please submit a detailed written request via certified mail with the following information:

  1. 1. Requesting organization’s name, address, operational service area and contact person.
  1. 2. A detailed description of equipment, personal protective equipment, modifications to facilities and/or training to be procured with funding.
  1. 3. A detailed quote/estimate from a third-party vendor for any equipment, personal protective equipment, modifications to facilities and/or training to be procured with funding.
  1. 4. A detailed description of how funding would improve the applicant’s ability to perform its primary mission or expand critical capabilities.
  1. 5. A detailed description of Energy Transfer assets within the organization’s service area.
  1. 6. Detailed mapping of applicant’s service area.
  1. 7. Funding amount requested.
  1. 9. Any obtained matching funds and project fundraising deadlines.
  1. 10. Any organizational minutes or resolutions authorizing fundraising for said project. A completed form W-9 “Request for Taxpayer Identification Number” (TIN) and Certification Form. Please use the 2024 version of Form W-9.

Download the Brochure

Application Process and Award Criteria

Applicants located in the following states/territories are eligible to apply: AL, CT, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, PR, RI, SC, TN, VA, VT, WI, WV.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis by a selection committee. First Responder Fund grants are awarded based on the priorities and competitiveness of the applications. If your application is successful, you will be notified by an Energy Transfer representative, who will guide you through the grant processing steps.

Remember, organizations that receive a First Responder Fund grant are eligible to apply again every three years, allowing for ongoing support and growth.

Get Started Today

If your organization is in need of funding for essential equipment, facility upgrades or training, we encourage you to apply for the Energy Transfer First Responder Fund. Together, we can ensure that first responders have the tools and resources they need to keep our communities safe.

For more information, or to see if your request is eligible for funding, contact us at 717-236-1731.

$34,700 to Lower Chichester Volunteer Fire Co. (Delaware County, PA), used to purchase 10 sets of turnout gear, including jackets, pants, hoods, gloves and boots

Community Briefs: Energy Transfer awards $34G grant for Lower Chi firefighters, Delaware County Daily Times

“We were very fortunate to receive this grant, which allowed us to replace 10 sets of turnout gear for our firefighters. The continued support of Energy Transfer allows us to maintain our members’ safety as the top priority, while aligning with our mission statement of serving with honor, tradition and pride.”

– Lower Chichester Fire Chief Brandon Fuller

$18,899 to Dauphin County HazMat Team, used to purchase five sets of new protective gear

Dauphin County HazMat team gets grant for new protective gear, WTHM 

“Almost $20,000 may seem like nothing to a lot of people. But for us, when our budget is what it is, we greatly rely on that. So when somebody like Energy Transfer helps us out, this is tremendous for the long-term success of our team.”

– Dauphin County HazMat Team Chief Robert Hill

$17,250 to Bloomfield Township Volunteer Fire Department (Oakland County, MI), used to purchase five sets of turnout gear

Bloomfield Township Fire Department receives grants, Birmingham-Bloomfield Eagle

Fire Chief John LeRoy said Energy Transfer not only has stepped up and helped the department out with the turnout gear, they also provided “critical needed training” for their pipeline that flows through the area.

“That’s how we found out about this grant in the first place,” said LeRoy. “They came to our facility last year and provided three days worth of training to all of our personnel to allow us to learn about what comes through their pipeline and all the aspects of emergency response to it.”

– Bloomfield Fire Chief John LeRoy

$15,000 to Powhatan Point Volunteer Fire Department (Belmont County, OH), used to purchase protective gear

The Powhatan Point Fire Department receives new equipment thanks to a grant from one of America’s largest energy companies, WTRF

“As a volunteer fire department, we rely on grants to help us with the rising cost of all of our supplies as needed. With the National Fire Protection Association requirements nowadays, it can be pretty pricey so the grant was very helpful to the department.”

– Powhatan Point Fire Chief Josh Cooper

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