Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA)/National Fire Plan (NFP) Grant

The South Carolina Forestry Commission administers the Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA)/National Fire Plan (NFP) Grant in partnership with the USDA Forest Service. This funding opportunity aims to strengthen the firefighting capabilities of rural volunteer fire departments that serve small communities located in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) throughout South Carolina. The program is part of broader efforts to mitigate wildfire risks in vulnerable areas by providing essential resources and equipment to those departments most in need. The VFA program is a 50/50 reimbursable matching grant. Fire departments may apply for funding of up to $5,000 to assist with the purchase of eligible wildland firefighting equipment. Matching funds may include documented labor and training time at a valuation of $24.69 per hour for specific eligible activities such as equipment refurbishment or dry hydrant maintenance. Departments may use the funding to acquire items like slip-on skid units for brush trucks, Nomex personal protective equipment, VHF radios (not 800 MHz), and supplies for dry hydrants. Purchases must align with the eligible items list provided in the program documentation. Items outside this list require pre-approval. Eligible applicants must be fire departments that serve communities with a population of 10,000 or fewer and must be staffed by at least 80% volunteer personnel. Applications will be prioritized if the department has not previously received funding, or if the request aligns with key priority items, such as wildland PPE or dry hydrants. The program is designed to support departments with limited budgets that provide frontline response to wildfires, particularly those threatening homes and infrastructure in the WUI. Applicants must complete the official application forms, including a list of protected WUI communities and requested equipment with justifications. A shapefile or map of the fire department’s service area must also be submitted. Incomplete applications or those not matching requested items with purchases will be ineligible for reimbursement. Recordkeeping is mandatory, and departments must retain receipts and documentation for at least three years post-reimbursement. Applications must be submitted by mail or email and received by the deadline. The application period opened on November 3, 2025. All applications must be postmarked or emailed no later than December 31, 2025. Notices of funding decisions will be issued by the end of the calendar year, and the purchase window spans from May 1, 2025, through May 1, 2026. Applications should be submitted without staples and in a large envelope to prevent folding. For questions, applicants may contact Andy Johnson, the VFA Grant Coordinator, at [email protected] or 803-360-6956. This grant is recurring on an annual basis and represents a key opportunity for rural fire departments in South Carolina to enhance their firefighting readiness through strategic investment in wildland-specific gear and infrastructure. Ongoing partnerships with the Forestry Commission, including Firewise workshops and CWPP planning, further complement the program’s goals of improving fire protection outcomes in high-risk areas.

Ensure priority items dominate request for funding priority; match purchases to application exactly; submit via certified mail