Maryland Volunteer Fire Assistance Grants

Maryland Volunteer Fire Assistance Grants

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Amount: Up to US $3,500
Last Updated: July 08, 2025

Summary

The Maryland Volunteer Fire Assistance Grants provide crucial support for rural volunteer fire departments, offering financial assistance of up to $3,500 on a 50/50 cost share basis. These grants aim to enhance wildland fire suppression capabilities, improve firefighter safety, and facilitate basic training for volunteers. Eligible departments can use these funds for personal protective equipment, firefighting tools, and essential training, ensuring they are well-equipped to handle wildland firefighting challenges effectively.

Overview

Objectives of the Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) Grant Program Fire camp crew Provide financial, technical, and related assistance to rural volunteer fire departments and their communities. Award VFA sub-grants of up to $3500 per department on a 50/50 cost share basis to enhance wildland fire suppression capabilities. Enhance firefighter safety and promote the use ​of wildland personal protective equipment. Provide basic wildland fire training classes for volunteer fire department members. VFA Grants can be used for (but not limited to): ​NFPA approved Wildland firefighting personal protective equipment (PPE) such as lightweight flame-resistant clothing (pants, shirts, coveralls, jackets), hard hats, eye protection, leather gloves, hearing protection, chainsaw chaps, and fire shelters. Wildland fire fighting power tools such as chainsaws or leaf blowers. Wildland ​firefighting equipment such as fire hose (Less than 2.5 inches in diameter), nozzles (1.5 inch and smaller), adapters, reducers, gated Y’s (1.5 inches or less), bladder bags & bladder bag hand pumps, wildland gear, and chainsaw supplies (bars, chains, wedges, scabbards, etc.). Wildland fire engine and UTV pumping units (tanks, pumps, hose reels, slip-on units, etc.). Rehabilitating wildland firefighting related equipment obtained through federal excess programs (FFP, FEPP). Fire Communications equipment (pagers, portable and mobile radios). Offroad all-terrain and utility vehicles (ATVs/ UTVs). Equipment for ATVs & UTVs that support wildland fire fighting. Wildland firefighting training (includes tuition for VFD personal to take National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) wildfire or chainsaw training.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. A single fire department serving a rural area or a rural community with a population of 10,000 or less is eligible (latest Census). Area fire departments (fire districts, first due area, etc.) may serve an aggregate population of greater than 10,000 if the service area of the fire department includes a rural area or a rural community having a population of 10,000 or less. Federal funds will reimburse up to 50 percent of the cost to the fire department after approval and certification that items have been received and paid for by the department (50/50 match grant – maximum payment of $3500).

Ineligibility

Equipment with no application to wildland firefighting is disqualified from the VFA grant process.VFA Grants Cannot be used for (but not limited to):Any type of capital improvements (purchasing land, purchasing buildings, constructing buildings, or rehabilitating buildings). Purchasing Vehicles. Purchasing any type of equipment that has a sole use of structural firefighting, hazardous Material response, rescue, or emergency medical services. ​Fire hose larger than 2.5 inches in diameter.