Volunteer Fire Assistance Program
The Volunteer Fire Assistance Program (VFA) provides federal financial, technical, and other related assistance to State Foresters to organize, train and equip fire departments in rural areas and rural communities to suppress wildfires and enhance protection capabilities by assisting rural communities with training and equipping the fire service. Fire departments in communities with populations of 10,000 or less are eligible for this grant. Distribution of VFA sub-grants will be awarded to departments with an emphasis on financial need. Funding provided through Volunteer Fire Assistance sub-grants will focus on wildland urban interface issues and needs for communities at risk in the wildland urban interface. Issues and needs include firefighter safety and training, enhancing community water supply and delivery capabilities, communications, and equipping.
The VFA Program is authorized in Section 10(b)3 of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 (PL 95-313, as amended by the Forest Stewardship Act of 1990 PL101-624). This program authorizes expenditure of federal funding to prevent and suppress rural fires and to enhance protection capabilities by assisting rural communities. This is accomplished through an annual grant program administered by the Maryland DNR Forest Service.
Objectives of the VFA Program
- Provide financial, technical, and related assistance to rural volunteer fire departments and their communities.
- Award VFA sub-grants of up to $3000 per department on a 50/50 cost share basis to enhance wildland fire suppression capabilities.
- Enhance firefighter safety and promote the use of wildland personal protective equipment.
- Provide basic wildland fire training classes for volunteer fire department members.
Key Qualifying Guidelines
- A single fire department serving a rural area or a rural community with a population of 10,000 or less is eligible (latest Census).
- Area fire departments (fire districts, first due area, etc.) may serve an aggregate population of greater than 10,000 as long as the service area of the fire department includes a rural area or a rural community having a population of 10,000 or less.
- Federal funds will reimburse up to 50 percent of the cost to the fire department after approval and certification that items have been received and paid for by the department (50/50 match grant).
- Complete VFA guide at: http://www.fs.fed.us/fire/partners/vfa/help/guide.htm.
- Grants will not be approved for medical, rescue, or HAZMAT equipment; capital construction projects; or vehicle purchase.
Volunteer Fire Assistance Grants Awarded
The Forest Service announces the 2008 Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) grant awards to volunteer fire departments in Maryland. In 2008, 59 departments from 19 counties submitted applications requesting funding of $142,434 for projects totaling $$474,583. The VFA program provides up to 50/50 match grant funding from the UDSA Forest Service to support rural volunteer fire departments for wildfire protection of their communities.
Applications are ranked based on project description, local financial support, population, protection area, and other factors. Funding was awarded to 37 departments in the amount of $90,112 with a total project cost of $286,039. The projects focus on local wildfire protection needs. Some project examples include equipping of brush units, wildland personal protective equipment, radio equipment, and dry hydrants. A complete list of awards is attached.
2008 VFA Awards
2007 VFA Awards
2006 VFA Awards
2005 VFA Awards
2004 VFA Awards
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