Volunteer Fire Assistance Grants
Get funding in rural areas to build firefighting capacity
Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) grants are available to assist rural fire departments in Louisiana. These grants:
Address critical preparedness needs for firefighter safety
Increase initial attack capability suppression efforts and training
Protect state and private lands threatened by wildfire.
Definition: A rural volunteer fire department is defined as “an organized, not for profit, fire protection organization that provides service primarily to a community or city with a population of 10,000 or less or to a rural area, as defined by the Secretary of Agriculture, whose firefighting personnel is 80 percent or more volunteer, and that is recognized as a fire department by the laws of the State.” 16 U.S.C. 2106
Available grants
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This grant provides funding to assist rural fire departments in building firefighting capacity.
Eligible items for purchase include Personal Protective Equipment, Hoses, Nozzles, Communication Equipment, etc. No single item may cost greater than $5,000.
Review our grant guidelines before applying.
Applications are due July 1, 2024. Applicants will be notified beginning September 1. Contact us if you haven't heard by September 20.
Once awarded, complete a finance disbursement report by early 2025 for reimbursement of costs. The report must be received by our Baton Rouge office by 4:30 p.m. on March 1, 2025.
This is a 50/50 matching fund program meant to assist rural fire departments in building firefighting capacity. Federal funds will pay up to 50% of approved program expenditures, with the local fire department paying at least 50% or more. Cost-share assistance WILL NOT exceed the awarded funds obligated for a qualified department.
Examples of equipment/apparatus that may be purchased with grant funds are as follows: Nomex clothing, bunker gear, hoses, nozzles, hand tools, radios, generators, foam application equipment, slipon pumping units, and materials and labor required to outfit and equip excess military vehicles. Only fire suppression equipment or Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) may be purchased. No single item may cost greater than $5,000.
Review our grant guidelines before applying.
Applications are due July 1, 2024. Applicants will be notified beginning September 1. Contact us if you haven't heard by September 20.
Once awarded, complete a finance disbursement report by early 2025 for reimbursement of costs. The report must be received by our Baton Rouge office by 4:30 p.m. on March 1, 2025.
This “specialty” grant is provided by funding allocated under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The additional VFA funding is dedicated to the purchase of Wildland items only.
Eligible items for purchase include Wildland Personal Protective Equipment (NFPA 1977 compliant), Hose, Nozzles, Fittings less than 3” in diameter, Communication Equipment, Pump Units, etc. No single item may cost greater than $5,000.
Review our grant guidelines before applying.
Applications are due July 1, 2024. Applicants will be notified beginning September 1. Contact us if you haven't heard by September 20.
Once awarded, complete a finance disbursement report by early 2025 for reimbursement of costs. The report must be received by our Baton Rouge office by 4:30 p.m. on March 1, 2025.
Apply for funding for a 4’ x 4’, single-sided Smokey Bear Fire Danger Sign.
The Fire Danger sign will serve as an "official" notification of the current wildfire danger rating for your area, and as such, the fire department accepts the following responsibilities:
A. To install and maintain the Smokey Bear Fire Danger sign at departmental expense.
B. To monitor and update the "fire rating" on a daily basis or as needed.
C. To maintain the area around the sign in a "neat and orderly" fashion.
D. To promote "wildfire prevention" education whereas practical.