Small County Volunteer Fire Department Grant

The Small County Volunteer Fire Department Grant, administered by the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of State Fire Marshal, is a state-funded initiative designed to support fire protection services in Ohio’s least populous counties. This grant was originally authorized by the 136th General Assembly under House Bill 96 and later amended by House Bill 184 to expand eligibility. With a total funding pool of $8 million for State Fiscal Year 2026, the program aims to improve safety, readiness, and service capacity in small and volunteer fire departments across the state. Grant recipients may receive a non-renewable award of up to $50,000, which must be used within the current fiscal year ending June 30, 2026. The program’s primary goal is to support the acquisition of essential firefighting and rescue equipment, gear, and other fire protection service-related costs. Eligible expenditures include firefighting tools such as saws, hoses, generators, and hand tools, as well as gear like Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA), personal protective equipment (PPE), and thermal imaging cameras. Rescue-related gear such as extrication tools, AEDs, oxygen tanks, ropes, and helmets are also covered. Additionally, the grant can fund minor firehouse repairs under $50,000 (completed by May 20, 2026), technology upgrades, training (excluding off-site lodging), uniforms, and fire prevention materials. Costs associated with recruitment and retention efforts, including advertising and background checks, are also eligible. In contrast, the program has clear restrictions on unallowable expenses. Funds cannot be used for purchasing fire apparatus (e.g., engines or tankers), acquiring real estate, conducting major construction projects, or covering salaries and benefits. Operational costs such as utilities, rent, insurance, and political lobbying are also excluded. The grant cannot be used for website hosting, fuel, off-site lodging, or event hosting expenses. These exclusions aim to ensure that funds are used strictly for improving tangible fire service capabilities. Eligibility is narrowly defined to prioritize the needs of smaller jurisdictions. Applicants must be based in Ohio counties with populations of 70,000 or fewer, as determined by the 2020 Census. Eligible applicants include volunteer fire departments, township- or municipality-organized departments serving populations under 25,000, joint fire districts primarily serving small municipalities or townships, and local units of government that contract with private fire companies to provide fire services. Private fire companies themselves are not eligible, though contracted entities may use purchased equipment as part of service delivery. Joint applications and departments based in larger counties are explicitly excluded. The application period for the grant opens on October 19, 2025, and closes on January 10, 2026, at 11:59 PM. Applications must be submitted online via the State Fire Marshal’s official website. Required documentation includes a completed application form, detailed project justifications, fire incident reporting compliance verification, and financial officer contact information. Awarded departments must submit proof of expenditures by May 20, 2026, including paid invoices, serial numbers for equipment over $15,000, and a final program report by June 15, 2026. Grant awards will be announced between January and February 2026. Successful applicants must return a signed grant agreement within 14 calendar days of receipt to avoid forfeiture. The program does not require matching funds. However, if combining this grant with other State Fire Marshal funds for a single asset, prior written approval and clear documentation are required. For any questions, applicants may contact the Grants Administrator at (614) 752-7123 or email [email protected]. Complete information, application forms, and guidance are available at the State Fire Marshal's website.

Ensure incident reporting compliance and VFDF enrollment; provide detailed justification and maintenance plans; include letters of support for stronger application.