Volunteer Fire Capacity (VFC)

The Volunteer Fire Capacity (VFC) Grant is a federally funded program administered by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE). This program, authorized under the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978, aims to assist local fire departments in rural communities by enhancing their ability to organize, train, and equip personnel for effective fire prevention and suppression. Through the allocation of cost-share funds, CAL FIRE supports fire departments in rural areas to improve operational readiness without allowing expenditures for major equipment or construction. Funding is awarded on a 50/50 matching basis, with departments required to spend local funds upfront and request reimbursement upon project completion. The VFC Program targets departments serving populations of 10,000 or fewer, although certain exceptions allow larger jurisdictions to qualify if they provide service to eligible rural areas. Eligible applicants include single departments, fire districts, or counties whose service areas include rural zones. A strong emphasis is placed on multicommunity collaborations and regional coordination, particularly where collective benefits can be demonstrated. CAL FIRE explicitly restricts the use of grant funds for capital repairs, new vehicles, HAZMAT, or non-fire-related training or equipment. Instead, allowable expenditures include personal protective equipment (PPE) compliant with NFPA 1977 standards, fire hoses, radios, hand tools, pagers, and training materials for both wildland and structural firefighting. Applications for the 2026 cycle are currently being accepted through May 31, 2026. Applicants must complete a downloadable fillable form available through CAL FIRE’s VFC webpage. The application process involves entering departmental information, describing the proposed project and its benefit to the community, and listing the equipment or training to be funded. Only one submission is allowed per applicant, and applications must be signed—either in print or via DocuSign—and submitted via email to CALFIRE.GRANTS@FIRE.CA.GOV. Departments are also required to affirm compliance or intent to achieve compliance with the NFPA 1977 standards regarding PPE and training. After submission, successful applicants will be notified by email in September or October 2026. Award packages will include a grant agreement, project budget, resolution template, and several compliance documents such as the USDA civil rights forms. Applicants must submit the completed grant agreement package by January 31, 2027, and may only begin spending once CAL FIRE returns the executed agreement with signatures by February 28, 2027. All projects must be completed by August 31, 2027, with final invoices submitted no later than November 1, 2027. Reimbursements may take up to eight weeks, particularly for submissions made toward the end of the fiscal year. CAL FIRE provides both administrative and programmatic contacts to assist applicants throughout the process. Amanda Jernigan, Federal Grants Analyst, is the point of contact for billing, purchases, deadlines, and general application support. Brandon Grundhoefer, Deputy Chief of State, Federal, and International Programs, serves as the programmatic contact for policy and high-level guidance. Both can be reached via the emails and phone numbers provided in the procedural guide. CAL FIRE encourages departments to ensure all elements are properly submitted and signed, and to use the board resolution template if they do not have one readily available. The program is expected to recur annually, with future funding dependent on federal allocations. Departments denied funding in a given cycle may have their applications retained for reconsideration if additional funds become available. The emphasis on training, equipment modernization, and rural service alignment makes the VFC Program a strategic opportunity for fire departments seeking to strengthen emergency readiness and safety in underserved communities.

Ensure NFPA PPE compliance and use CAL FIRE templates to avoid disqualification.