Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant

The Volunteer Fire Capacity Grant (VFC), authorized under the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978, aims to enhance the ability of fire departments serving rural communities to prevent and suppress wildland fires. Administered by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) and funded by the U.S. Forest Service, this grant supports the acquisition of essential firefighting tools and resources. Fire departments comprised of at least 80% volunteer personnel and serving jurisdictions with populations under 10,000 are eligible to apply. The primary goal is to directly benefit these rural areas by bolstering their readiness and response capabilities for wildland fire incidents. The 2025 VFC grant provides eligible departments with reimbursement-based funding of up to $3,500 for qualified wildland firefighting equipment. As a 50/50 matching program, applicants must demonstrate equal investment in the approved purchases. For example, a department seeking the maximum reimbursement must expend $7,000 in eligible equipment purchases. Funding cannot be applied toward items exceeding $9,999 in cost. Notably, New York State received $826,990 in total federal support for this grant in the 2024 fiscal year. Eligible expenditures include protective clothing and personal protective equipment, communication tools, firefighting hoses and nozzles, water delivery systems like cisterns or dry hydrants (including installation), and other small-scale operational supplies. Prohibited uses include search and rescue gear, land acquisition, major apparatus or facility construction, and general maintenance items like fuel or oil. Only items that directly support wildland firefighting in rural areas are considered valid. The application period for the 2025 cycle is currently open, with a deadline of December 22, 2025. Applications can be submitted either through the preferred online portal or by email or postal mail using the paper form. Each applying department must submit their New York State Fire Department Identification Number (FDID) and their National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS) ID to be considered. Only one application per jurisdiction is allowed. Upon selection, departments must complete all purchasing, inspection, and documentation requirements within 180 days of the award notice. This includes coordinating an inspection of procured equipment by a NYS Forest Ranger and providing all supporting invoices. Compliance with vendor registration requirements through the Statewide Financial System (SFS) is also necessary to receive payment. For questions or support, applicants may contact the NYSDEC Division of Forest Protection at 518-402-8839 or via email at rangers@dec.ny.gov. This program continues to provide vital assistance to rural fire departments in safeguarding their communities from wildland fire threats.

Only one application per jurisdiction; ensure volunteer percentage meets threshold; register with SFS; respond within 180 days