Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant

The Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant program is administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Bureau of Forestry in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This program is designed to strengthen fire protection capabilities in rural communities, particularly those with populations under 10,000. The initiative supports cooperative efforts between federal and state agencies to organize, train, and equip local volunteer fire departments. Its overarching goal is to reduce the risks and impacts of wildland fires by enhancing preparedness and response capacity in underserved or inadequately protected areas. The primary purpose of the program is to provide financial assistance to help volunteer fire companies prevent, control, and suppress fires that threaten human life, livestock, wildlife, crops, and infrastructure in rural environments. Funding supports projects that improve wildfire readiness, including the acquisition of equipment, training, and infrastructure improvements. Priority is given to projects that demonstrate a clear need based on vulnerability and gaps in existing fire protection services, as well as those that align with established organizational goals and planning efforts. Funding under this program operates on a cost-share basis, where recipients are reimbursed for up to 50 percent of eligible project expenses. The maximum award amount for the current cycle is $15,000. Applicants must ensure that they have sufficient funds to cover the full project cost upfront, as reimbursement occurs only after project completion. Allowable uses of funds include the purchase of wildland fire suppression equipment, protective gear, communication devices such as mobile or portable radios, installation of dry hydrants, wildfire mitigation efforts, and training. Certain projects involving the conversion and maintenance of federal excess vehicles for fire suppression are also eligible. There are specific restrictions on how grant funds may be used. Ineligible expenses include structural firefighting equipment, large-diameter hoses exceeding 2.5 inches, construction of structures, routine maintenance of non-qualifying vehicles, medical and ambulance services, fire police or search and rescue equipment, and unmanned aerial systems. Additionally, federal regulations impose tracking requirements on purchases exceeding $10,000, limiting such expenditures to specific categories such as wildland engines, slip-on units, pumps, and utility terrain vehicles within defined cost thresholds. Eligibility for the program is limited to volunteer fire companies serving rural communities in Pennsylvania. There is a five-year waiting period between grant awards; however, departments that received $7,500 or less in the past five years may qualify for an additional award, provided cumulative funding does not exceed the program maximum within a two-year period. Applicants must also demonstrate organizational readiness, including leadership approval from an executive officer such as a president, vice-president, secretary, or treasurer, whose certification is required for application acceptance. The application process is conducted through the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Grant Portal. Applicants are required to review program guidelines, obtain a vendor number, and agree to the terms and conditions of funding during submission. The application period for the current cycle opens on October 14, 2025, and closes on December 31, 2025. Successful applicants enter into a binding agreement upon award, and funding decisions are based on project merit, demonstrated need, and alignment with program priorities. The program is recurring annually, with future cycles expected to follow a similar timeline.

Prioritize projects involving wildland suppression equipment and protective gear; demonstrate clear organizational planning and documented need; ensure compliance with reimbursement structure and eligibility rules