Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program

About this program

Texas A&M Forest Service administers the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program to fund volunteer fire departments for acquisition of firefighting vehicles, fire/rescue equipment, protective clothing, dry-hydrants, firefighter training, volunteer recruitment resources, and emergency assistance after catastrophic events. The program supports capacity building, disaster prevention and relief, energy and environment, community resilience, and workforce/economic development activities. Eligible applicants are recognized non‑profit volunteer fire departments operated by members, or part‑paid/part‑volunteer departments with 20 or fewer paid members, that operate within a county‑assigned primary protection area (primary areas may not overlap) and are in good standing with the State of Texas and the agency; applications are submitted via the FireConnect platform (see program page: https://tfsweb.tamu.edu/grants-financial-assistance/fire-department-programs/volunteer-fire-department-programs/rural-volunteer-fire-department-assistance-program/).