Safe Community First Responder Program

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Small communities across Canada and the U.S. rely on fire departments, ambulance services, and other emergency responders to keep them safe. Money is perennially tight, especially in rural municipalities with a small tax base, and equipment that could enhance the capabilities of these first responders is a luxury for some communities.

Through the Safe Community First Responder Program, Enbridge helps address these challenges by providing targeted funding that enhances emergency response capacity where it’s needed most. Grants support safety equipment, professional training, and safety education programs for first responders across Canada and the United States.

The safety of communities near our projects and operations, and the people who live and work along our system, remain our highest priority. Through this program, we are proud to support the organizations that play a critical role in emergency preparedness and response.

What the program supports

The Safe Community First Responder Program provides funding for initiatives that strengthen local emergency response capabilities, including:

• Safety equipment that enhances emergency response and preparedness
• Professional training for first responders
• Safety education programs that improve community awareness and readiness

Who can apply

Emergency response organizations that support communities located within 10 miles (United States) or 20 kilometres (Canada) of Enbridge operations may be eligible for funding.

Eligible organizations include:

• Fire departments
• Emergency medical and rescue services
• Emergency management organizations
• 9‑1‑1 centers and ambulance services
• Law enforcement organizations

To apply:

Before applying, we recommend reviewing Enbridge’s list of eligible communities in Canada and the United States to confirm your organization qualifies.

Our online application form will guide you through the questions required for us to assess your funding request. When completing the application, select “Safe Community First Responder” as the applicable Enbridge grant stream for your request.

Funding decisions for Safe Community First Responder grants take a minimum of 8 to 12 weeks.

Apply online

If you have questions about the program or how to apply or please contact us.

Program impact

Launched in 2002 and expanded to Canada in 2009, the Safe Community First Responder Program has invested approximately US$24.7 million (C$32.6 million) in emergency response organizations across North America. In 2025, the program provided US$2.5 million (C$3.5 million) to 326 emergency response organizations, supporting critical safety equipment, training and education initiatives.