I don't know how your department is funded, but our funds come from contracts with the towns we serve. We prepare a budget each year, and out of the budget comes money for turnout gear, vehicle maintenance, training and so on.
So, I wonder if it's a question of having a line in next year's budget that contains funds for training? Just a thought; as I say I have no idea how your department's money is handled.
We have a district but we don't get alot of funding in the budget so we rely on grants but all the grant companyies alot of times give them to the big departments