Amends GS 95-25.3 to add subsection (a1) (minimum wage) setting the minimum wage for first-responders at either $15 per hour or the federal minimum wage set forth in the Fair Labor Standards Act, whichever is higher. This provision is effective January 1, 2022. Appropriates $52 million the State received in federal funds under the Consolidated Appropriations Act (2021 P.L.116-260) in fiscal year 2021-2022 to the Department of Commerce (Department) to establish the First Responders Fund. Directs that the allocated funds be used to provide grants to public and private employers of first-responders between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2022, to cover 50% of the additional costs incurred by employers for one year as a result of the minimum wage increase in GS 95-25.3. Directs the Department to use $100,000 to cover administrative costs of the grant program. This provision is effective July 1, 2021.