Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant

The Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) Grant is provided by the USDA Forest Service through the New Mexico Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department's Forestry Division. This grant supports volunteer fire departments in rural areas or communities with populations under 10,000 by providing financial and technical assistance for equipment, training, and organizational support. Eligible departments must be recognized by state law, have a volunteer workforce of 80% or more, and are required to provide a 10% matching contribution. The maximum award for equipment, PPE, and training is $20,000, while a Wildland Coordinator position grant can be up to $24,999.