The Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) program provides federal financial and technical assistance to state officials to organize, train, and equip fire departments in rural areas and rural communities. The West Virginia Division of Forestry (WVDOF) administers the VFA grant to volunteer fire departments in West Virginia on an 80/20 basis. The WVDOF has established priorities based on individual department need, type of equipment requested and the service value of the project to the community. Preference is given to applications relating primarily to wildland fire suppression; however this grant provides funds for both structural and wildland fire activities. Applications for equipment needed to outfit tanker, pumper, or brush trucks will be accepted. Equipment requests must be for items that will improve the operation of the fire department. Normal maintenance items are not eligible.
None is available.
Funding is not provided for building rehabilitation, new construction or the purchase of vehicles.
Eligible applicants are Volunteer Fire Departments serving communities with populations of 10,000 or less.
Applications are anticipated to be due in April 2016.
Up to a $2,000 match will be provided on a cost-reimbursement basis.