Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) Grant Program

The Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) Grant Program, administered by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, provides a 50/50 cost-share opportunity aimed at enhancing rural fire departments. Eligible departments can secure funding for essential wildland fire equipment, personal protective gear, and communication devices. Grants are capped at $10,000, promoting community collaboration while ensuring departments meet specific eligibility requirements. This initiative supports the vital role of fire services in protecting Ohio's communities and natural resources.

Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR)
The history of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) is rich and varied, beginning with its creation by the Ohio Legislature in 1949.
At that time, the department was charged with the responsibility of formulating and putting into execution a long-term comprehensive plan for the development and wise use of the natural resources of the state, to the end that the health, happiness and wholesome enjoyment of life of the people of Ohio may be further encouraged.
A department of incredible diversity, ODNR owns and manages more than 800,000 acres of land, including 75 state parks, 24 state forests, 140 state nature preserves and 150 wildlife areas. The department also has jurisdiction over more than 120,000 acres of inland waters; 7,000 miles of streams; 481 miles of Ohio River; and 2.25 million acres of Lake Erie. In addition, ODNR licenses all hunting, fishing and watercraft in the state and the department is responsible for overseeing and permitting all mineral extraction, monitoring dam safety, managing water resources, mapping the state's major geologic structures and mineral resources and providing multiple outdoor grant programs to local communities.
The ODNR Division of Wildlife receives more than 97% of its funding through the sale of licenses, permits, federal reimbursements and donations. Divisions and offices also change over time to improve efficiency. For example, in 2016 the Division of Parks and Recreation merged with the Division of Watercraft since they had overlapping responsibilities.
The Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) Grant program is a 50/50 cost share grant program administered through the Ohio Division of Forestry. The VFA Grant program is focused on helping fire departments acquire wildland fire equipment (UTVs / ATVs / wildfire slip-in units), PPE, MARCS communication devices, and other items that support rural fire department development.
Funding
The grants are 50/50 matching reimbursement grants. A Fire Department that receives a grant must purchase all grant items prior to receiving reimbursement for 50% of the total cost of all project items. A maximum of $10,000 has been placed upon the amount of federal reimbursement grant dollars to be awarded to any one multi-community project or individual fire department.

Eligibility

Fire departments located within the ODNR Forestry Wildfire Protection Areas are eligible to apply for VFA grants.Only Fire Departments who serve a community of under 10,000 population qualify for this grant. FDs may serve a total population of over 10,000 as long as they do serve an individual community (township, village, etc.) with a qualifying population. For multi-community projects, the 10,000 limit may be exceeded and still qualify, providing none of the participating communities individually exceeds the 10,000 population limit.Departments must have a Fire Department Identification number (FDID) to qualify.
Departments must have a UEI number that is registered with this website to qualify.
Departments must be registered as a supplier with the State of Ohio in order to receive funds.Local funding must be available for the initial purchase of all items if the application is approved.Any single piece of equipment purchased through the VFA program that costs $5,000 or greater is subject to USDA Forest Service property management and property disposal guidelines.

Ineligibility

Communities imposing strict boundary limits which exclude rural residences or using a subscription or a fee response system will not be considered