Volunteer Fire Infrastructure & Response Equipment (V-FIRE) Grant Program

The Volunteer Fire Infrastructure & Response Equipment (V-FIRE) Grant Program for State Fiscal Year 2025–2026 is a competitive funding initiative administered by the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES). This reimbursement-based grant program was established to enhance the safety and security of communities across New York State by providing financial support to volunteer fire departments and districts. Its primary goal is to strengthen the infrastructure and response capabilities of these departments, particularly those comprised entirely of volunteer firefighters. With a total of $25 million in available funding, the program seeks to support critical upgrades to fire facilities or equipment, thereby improving emergency response readiness throughout the state. Applicants may apply under one of two distinct funding tracks. Under Funding Option 1, departments can request up to $1,000,000 for construction, renovation, or acquisition of critical fire service facilities, including fire stations, training facilities, and supporting infrastructure. Funding Option 2 offers up to $500,000 for projects that focus on purchasing allowable fire service equipment, such as personal protective gear, decontamination tools, communications systems, and rehabilitation equipment. Projects must be new initiatives—reimbursement will not be provided for activities started or completed before an award is issued. Additionally, previously funded V-FIRE grantees are not eligible to apply individually but may participate in shared services or county-level applications. Eligible applicants include 100% volunteer fire companies, municipalities operating fire departments with all-volunteer memberships, and counties submitting on behalf of multiple qualifying departments with at least 60% documented support. Shared services and consolidated applications between multiple municipalities are also encouraged and may receive bonus evaluation points. All nonprofit fire companies must be prequalified in the New York Statewide Financial System prior to the application deadline. Ineligible applicants include hybrid fire departments with paid staff, statewide or regional organizations, and federal fire agencies. The program explicitly outlines permissible and impermissible expenditures. Allowable costs include constructing or renovating fire stations and training facilities, purchasing SCBA equipment, PPE washers and dryers, decontamination trailers, communications gear, and firefighter rehabilitation equipment. In contrast, funding cannot be used for drones, grant writer fees, administrative staff salaries, or loan payments. The period of performance for awarded projects will be three years from the date of contract execution. The program strongly promotes shared services, with bonus points awarded for county-wide initiatives and municipal collaborations that benefit multiple departments. Applicants must submit their proposals through the DHSES E-Grants System no later than 5:00 p.m. on February 25, 2026. Applications must be complete and include all required documentation, such as a signed municipal agreement for fire companies and, where applicable, consent forms for shared services arrangements. DHSES will evaluate all applications in a two-tiered process, with only fully compliant submissions advancing to competitive scoring. The evaluation will consider factors such as proposed budget, fulfillment of grant objectives, implementation plans, and regional impact. Bonus points are available for rural area designation, consolidation, and county submissions. Successful applicants will be notified in the summer of 2026, and all contract awards are contingent upon approval by the State Comptroller and Attorney General. Technical assistance for the E-Grants platform will be available until the application deadline. Any questions regarding the program must be submitted in writing by noon on February 18, 2026. Awardees must agree to specific compliance and reporting requirements, including periodic capability assessments and participation in state-sponsored emergency management training. Overall, the V-FIRE Grant Program offers a vital opportunity for volunteer fire departments to modernize their facilities and improve response operations statewide.

Focus on shared services and consolidation for bonus points. Emphasize regional impact and clear need for equipment or facility improvements.