Grants of up to $3,000 to Maryland volunteer fire departments serving rural communities to enhance firefighting capacity. The purpose of this program is to enable fire departments to better suppress and prevent fires in rural areas. Funding may be requested to train, equip, and organize fire departments. Applications for funding should be focused to address wildland fire and wildland urban interface issues and needs for communities at risk from wildfire.
Objectives of the VFA Program:
-Provide financial, technical, and related assistance to rural volunteer fire departments and their communities.
-Enhance firefighter safety and promote the use of wildland personal protective equipment.
-Provide basic wildland fire training classes for volunteer fire department members.
Some examples of acceptable grant projects:
-Wildland personal protective equipment, such as nomex coveralls (not turn out gear)
-Equipping and rehab of Federal Excess Property (FEPP & FFP) or fire department fire equipment
-Equipping of brush units, such as skid units, portable pumps, small diameter fire hose (1 3/4” or less), hand tools, chain saws (not rescue saws), etc
-Communications equipment, such as mobile or portable radios and pagers
-Off-road Utility type vehicle (UTV) for wildland fire use
-Dry Hydrants kits and installations
-Other wildland fire equipping needs
Others (see text field entitled "Additional Eligibility Criteria" for clarification)
Additional Eligibility Criteria
Applications will only be accepted from a volunteer fire department.
Key Qualifying Guidelines:
-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 as long as the service area of the fire department includes a rural area or a rural community having a population of 10,000 or less.
-The complete VFA guide is available at http://www.fs.fed.us/fire/partners/vfa/help/guide.htm.
-Grants will not be approved for medical, rescue, or HAZMAT equipment; capital construction projects; or vehicle purchase.
Pre-Application Information
Funds will be distributed on a 50% reimbursable basis for actual cost incurred by the Department up to the grant award amount.
Applications must be received by email or in the Maryland Forest Service headquarters office no later than July 17, 2017 or your application will not be accepted for consideration.
Notification of grant awards approved to Departments will be distributed by September 30, 2017.
Additional Funding Information
Estimated Total Program Funding:
$82,000
Estimated Size of Grant
A Department may submit one VFA grant application for a maximum grant award of $3,000 with $6,000 in qualifying expenses.
Term of Contract
Invoices or purchase orders and copies of checks showing payment must be dated between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2017.
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