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Volunteer Fire Assistance Grants

Forestry Grants Available for Louisiana Rural Fire Departments

Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) grants are delivered through state forestry agencies in order to assist volunteer fire departments in rural areas; address critical preparedness needs for firefighter safety; increase initial attack capability suppression efforts and training; and protect state and private lands threatened by wildfire.

DEFINITION: A rural volunteer fire department is defined as “an organized, not for profit, fire protection organization that provides service primarily to a community or city with a population of 10,000 or less or to a rural area, as defined by the Secretary of Agriculture, whose firefighting personnel is 80 percent or more volunteer, and that is recognized as a fire department by the laws of the State.”  16 U.S.C. 2106 

Questions about grants requirements, guidelines or approved purchases?


2022 VFA Grants

2022 VFA FINANCIAL DISBURSEMENT REPORT


2023 VFA Grantsavailable now

2023 Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant

This grant provides funding to assist rural fire departments in building firefighting capacity.

Eligible items for purchase include Personal Protective Equipment, Hoses, Nozzles, Communication Equipment, etc. No single item may cost greater than $5,000.


Volunteer Fire Assistance – Wildland Fire Grant

This “specialty” grant is provided by funding allocated under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.  The additional VFA funding is dedicated for the purchase of Wildland items only. 

Eligible items for purchase include Wildland Personal Protective Equipment (NFPA 1977 compliant), Hose, Nozzles, Fittings less than 3” in diameter, Communication Equipment, Pump Units, etc. No single item may cost greater than $5,000.


2020-21 Hurricane Disaster & Recovery Supplement Grant

This grant is intended to assist those rural fire departments who were impacted by Hurricanes Laura, Delta, Zeta and Ida in building firefighting capacity.

Eligible items for purchase include Personal Protective Equipment, Hoses, Nozzles, Communication Equipment, etc. No single item may cost greater than $5,000.


Important dates

March 1, 2023:Applications available for download
July 1, 2023:Completed, original application deadline for submission to the LDAF Forestry – HQ.
Sept. 1, 2023:Approval/Disapproval Letters mailed to fire department applicants. 
March 1, 2024:Deadline for completed Disbursement Reports to arrive at the LDAF – Forestry HQ.