Fire Department Training Grant Program

Fire Department Training Grant Program

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: North Carolina Forest Service
Amount: Unspecified amount in in-kind support
Last Updated: October 14, 2025

Summary

The Fire Department Training Grant Program, managed by the North Carolina Forest Service, provides essential training courses for rural fire departments. These courses enhance firefighting skills and safety measures, enabling personnel to effectively manage wildland fires and protect communities. With a focus on practical skills, the program covers various topics including fire suppression tactics, incident command systems, and chainsaw safety, ensuring that fire departments are well-prepared to respond to emergencies in their regions.

Overview

NOTE: Please contact your county forest ranger to learn how to participate in this program. What We Do North Carolina's forestland is one of the greatest influences on the state, providing economic value and adding immeasurably to the quality of life for its residents. The forest products industry is the largest manufacturing business sector in the state, contributing approximately $34.9 billion annually to the state's economy and providing around 148,000 jobs for North Carolinians. The NC Forest Service's primary purpose is to ensure adequate and quality forest resources for the state to meet its present and future needs. Fire Department Training Program The Fire Department Training Program provides fire-training courses to rural fire departments through a federal grant received by the N.C. Forest Service. This training allows fire departments to be able to safely, efficiently, and effectively suppress wildland fires while protecting citizens property and forest resources. The following courses are available: Wildland Fire Suppression for Fire Departments - This course was developed by the N.C. Forest Service to teach fire personnel the basic knowledge needed to safely suppress wildland fires. The course covers Organization, Fire Behavior, Locating the fire, Fire size-up, Tactics for hand crews, engines, and tractor- plow units. Mop-up, Fire Prevention, and Firefighter Safety are also covered, as well as the different terrain and fire environments forces may encounter in NC.S-130 Firefighter Training - This course teaches entry level wildland firefighting skills and includes such topics as safety, preparedness, tools and equipment, firing devices, use of water, suppression, securing control lines, use of maps and scouting. The course is usually taught in conjunction with S-190 and L-180.S-190 Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior - This course offers instruction in the primary environmental factors that affect the start and spread of wildfire and recognition of potentially hazardous situations. It is usually taught in conjunction with S-130 and L-180.L-180 Human Factors on the fireline - This course is designed to teach situational awareness, basic communication responsibilities, attitude and stress barriers, decision-making processes and teamwork principles. It is usually taught in conjunction with S-130.(ICS) Incident Command System - The ICS course is designed to train fire personnel how to manage any type of incident they may be involved in. ICS can be used to manage fires, floods, search and rescue operations, Haz Mat scenes, or disaster recovery operations. This national system allows fire personnel to function with other agencies involved, and to understand what their jobs are within the ICS organization. Instruction is designed in 4 levels (I-100, I-200, I-300, and I-400). Each level covers several modules that can be tailored for the department's needs. This course is a federally recognized course by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group.S-215 Fire Operations in the Wildland/Urban Interface - This course teaches fire personnel how to deal with wildland fires threatening homes in wooded areas. This course covers topics to teach personnel how to plan, size-up, triage, and attack wildland fires threatening homes or other improvements. Emphasis is placed on firefighter safety, hose line deployment, engine placement, and public relations. This course is a federally recognized course by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group.S-212 Chainsaw Use and Safety - This course covers field maintenance and repair of chainsaws, and proper use and cutting techniques for operating chainsaws in fire situations. This course is a valuable asset to chainsaw users when operating in fire, or storm debris clearance situations. The S-212 course is a federally recognized course by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group.Computer Simulator Fire-Training - This challenging course allows firefighters to test their skill and knowledge while battling a realistic wildland fire that is generated by use of a computer. Aerial slides of wooded areas are digitized in the computer, and agency personnel run the fire by actual weather conditions, spread rates, etc., to generate a very realistic situation for trainees. This course allows trainees to fight the fire as if they were flying overhead in an airplane giving them an aerial view of how the fire was spreading. This course is as close to the real thing as it gets!Chainsaw Safety for VFDs - This course was developed by the agency to teach fire personnel the basic safety knowledge needed for chainsaw operations involving wildfire and storm debris removal. Maintenance, felling methods and tree defect "watch out" situations are also covered. This course does not replace S-212, Chainsaw Use and Safety, which is required for national chainsaw certification.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Rural fire departments in North Carolina are eligible to apply.