Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 Volunteer Fire Capacity Grant
2025 VFC Grant Information
The Volunteer Fire Capacity Grant (VFC) program was created to improve the capability of fire departments in rural areas and rural communities, by making funds available for the purchase of wildland firefighting suppression supplies. The Volunteer Fire Capacity Grant program is funded by the U.S. Forest Service and administered by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Fire departments eligible to apply may receive grant funding up to $3,500 for the purchase of wildland firefighting supplies. The grant is a 50/50 matching funds program, which means that fire departments are required to equally match the amount of the grant award. As an example, a fire department would have to spend $7,000 on the purchase of approved firefighting supplies, to be reimbursed an equal grant amount of $3,500. New York State was named as grant recipient of $826,990 for the 2024 federal fiscal year.
Eligibility Criteria
A fire department which is comprised of at least 80% volunteer personnel and provides wildland fire protection to a rural area within its jurisdiction may apply for the VFC grant. *Rural refers to a village/town with a population of less than 10k (based on 2020 Census Data). The grant funding must be used to directly benefit the rural community that the applicant department serves.
Additional Criteria
Grant funding must be used to purchase eligible wildland firefighter supplies. Eligible items include protective fire clothing and PPE, modern communications supplies for more effective action on incidents, firefighting supplies such as nozzles and hoses, tools and other smaller scale supplies, and water delivery systems such as cisterns, dry hydrants, etc. (including installation). List of eligible items (PDF).
Expenditures not directly related to firefighting, such as search and rescue supplies, acquisition of land, construction of buildings and facilities, major apparatus purchases and maintenance items (gas/gas cans, oil, bar chain oil, etc.) are not eligible for funding.
Funding cannot be applied to individual items greater than $9,999.
Upon notification of receiving a VFC grant award, fire departments are required to complete all grant process requirements within 180 days of their grant award. This process includes purchasing supplies, scheduling an inspection of purchased items by a local NYS Forest Ranger and providing copies of invoices as proof of purchase.
Applications
The 2025 Volunteer Fire Capacity (VFC) Grant application period is now closed. Award determinations for the 2025 VFC Grant have not yet been finalized. All applicants will be notified by email when award decisions have been made.
Please maintain a valid email address with DEC for current and/or future correspondence. If there are any changes to your email or if you have any questions or concerns, please contact [email protected].
