The Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) Grant, administered by the South Carolina Forestry Commission (SCFC) in partnership with the USDA Forest Service under the National Fire Plan, is designed to strengthen the capacity of rural volunteer fire departments to manage and suppress wildfires within the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) in South Carolina. This initiative supports departments predominantly staffed by volunteers—specifically, those with at least 80% volunteer firefighters—and serving rural communities with populations of 10,000 or fewer.
The grant provides 50/50 matching reimbursement funds of up to $5,000 per department. Eligible departments can apply for financial assistance to purchase wildland firefighting equipment and attend approved wildland fire training. High-priority funding is given to departments applying for the first time, as well as those seeking to purchase specific priority items such as skid (slip-in) units for brush trucks, wildland personal protective equipment (PPE) that meets NFPA 1977 standards, VHF radios compatible with mutual aid frequencies, and dry hydrants. Departments participating in the Federal Excess Property Program (FEPP) must demonstrate active use and proper documentation of federal equipment.
The application process requires submission of several documents, including Forms A, B, and C, a W-9 form, and a shapefile or map of the department's service area. Applications must be submitted by December 31, 2025. Approved departments will be notified and may then begin submitting receipts for eligible purchases made between May 1, 2025, and May 1, 2026. All purchases must match those listed in the approved grant request to be eligible for reimbursement. Equipment requests are limited to items listed in the VFA Grant packet, and no single item may exceed $10,000 in cost without itemized justification.
Departments can count documented labor and training hours towards their required match at a rate of $24.69 per hour. Approved wildland fire training courses include ICS and NIMS courses, S-series wildland courses, and specific state-registered programs. Departments must maintain complete records for three years following reimbursement. The program is non-recurring, meaning grants are awarded through a competitive selection each year without guarantee of renewal.
Applications may be submitted via mail or email to the SCFC VFA Grant Coordinator, Andy Johnson, at ajohnson@scfc.gov. Final award notifications and instructions for reimbursement will be provided to recipients. This grant opportunity offers a critical resource to small, underfunded departments seeking to enhance their readiness and response capabilities in high-risk wildland fire zones.
Priority is given to departments requesting skid units, PPE, VHF radios, or dry hydrants. Maintain receipts and match documentation to avoid denial.
