Rural volunteer fire departments in Texas receive critical funding as $2.1 million in grants are awarded, marking a major step in strengthening the state’s emergency response capabilities
Texas – On a significant day for Texas’ emergency services, the Texas A&M Forest Service announced the awarding of $2.1 million in grants to volunteer fire departments across the state. The funding, distributed during the second funding meeting of fiscal year 2025 for the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program, aims to enhance the capabilities of these crucial first responders.
During the meeting, which took place on March 5, 2025, 94 grants were allocated to various volunteer fire departments (VFDs). These grants are particularly aimed at helping the departments acquire vital equipment necessary for efficiently tackling wildfires and handling various emergencies and natural disasters. The funded equipment ranges from dry hydrants and fire and rescue equipment to personal protective gear and training aids.
Jason Keiningham, the head of Texas A&M Forest Service’s Capacity Building Department, emphasized the importance of supporting local fire departments. He noted that these departments are often the first on the scene in emergencies and that enhancing their capacity is crucial for their operations.
“Through the Rural VFD Assistance Program, we do everything we can to ensure that their firefighting capacity is strong by helping them purchase necessary equipment. This increases the ability of fire departments across the state to fight wildland fires, cooperate on different types of incidents and aid other states in times of need,” Keiningham stated.
The grants are processed through a streamlined system known as FireConnect, a web application developed by Texas A&M Forest Service. This platform not only facilitates the grant application process but also serves as a comprehensive directory of fire departments in Texas. It provides a portal for fire departments to submit incident reports, which helps increase statewide situational awareness and aids in tracking suppression costs.
Since its inception in 2001, the Rural VFD Assistance Program has been a significant support system for rural fire departments. It has provided over $380 million in funding to help these departments acquire firefighting vehicles, fire/rescue equipment, protective clothing, dry hydrants, and firefighter training. For fiscal year 2025, the Texas Legislature has allocated approximately $22 million to the program, underlining the state’s commitment to supporting rural firefighting capabilities.
In the first funding meeting of the fiscal year, which traditionally focuses on providing funds for firefighting vehicles, the program had already set a strong foundation for the year’s allocations. These vehicles require time to build and prepare, hence the early allocation in the fiscal year.
Looking ahead, the next funding meeting for the program is tentatively scheduled for August 6, 2025, where further grants will be considered. Fire departments and the public interested in the specifics of grant distribution can view the list of grant recipients and additional details on the FireConnect website.
This continuous funding effort not only highlights the ongoing commitment of Texas A&M Forest Service to supporting rural fire departments but also ensures that these vital first responders are well-equipped to protect communities across Texas.
