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

The Volunteer Fire Infrastructure & Response Equipment (V-FIRE) Grant Program for State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2025–2026 is a competitive, state-funded initiative administered by the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES). This program was developed to bolster the safety and operational capacity of volunteer fire departments and districts across New York State by providing essential funding for infrastructure development and equipment procurement. With a total program allocation of $25 million, V-FIRE aims to directly support fire protection services that rely entirely on volunteer personnel. The program is structured into two distinct funding tracks to better address the varied needs of eligible applicants. Funding Option 1 focuses on construction, renovation, or purchase of fire facilities, including stations and training structures, with a maximum award of $1,000,000 per applicant. Funding Option 2 targets the purchase of critical fire service equipment, including personal protective equipment (PPE), SCBA gear, decontamination tools, and communications equipment, offering up to $500,000 per application. Applicants must choose only one option per application, and each project must be new and not already underway to qualify for reimbursement. Eligibility is strictly limited to entities operating within New York State that have not previously received V-FIRE funding. Qualifying applicants include 100% volunteer fire companies, municipalities (towns, villages, cities, and fire districts) with all-volunteer fire departments, and counties applying on behalf of such departments. Counties must secure at least 60% consent from eligible local departments to be considered. Applicants must also be current with their fire incident reporting obligations and, if a nonprofit, must be prequalified in the New York Statewide Financial System before applying. Applications that do not meet these prerequisites will be disqualified without further review. The application must be submitted through the DHSES E-Grants System by 5:00 PM on March 11, 2026. Applicants are required to complete an Application Worksheet and provide documentation such as prequalification confirmation (for nonprofits), a signed service contract (for fire companies), and consent forms (for county or shared applications). Project plans must outline how requested funding aligns with program objectives, including improving response capabilities, enhancing health and safety conditions, and addressing regional fire service gaps. Implementation timelines should demonstrate feasibility within the three-year contract period. Projects that promote regional collaboration through shared services or consolidation of fire department resources are encouraged and may receive up to 20 bonus evaluation points. Applications will be reviewed under a two-tier system that includes baseline eligibility verification and a detailed scoring rubric. This rubric evaluates budget details, program alignment, sustainability plans, and overall project impact. Additional bonus points may be awarded for rural location and county-level submissions, while prior performance on DHSES-funded grants may influence scoring outcomes. Award notifications are anticipated in summer 2026. Selected applicants must enter into a reimbursement-based contract with DHSES and are required to comply with various contractual, procurement, and reporting obligations throughout the three-year performance period. These include participation in required training programs, adherence to non-discrimination policies, and ongoing monitoring and evaluation by DHSES. Applicants may contact DHSES at [email protected] with program-specific questions prior to the inquiry deadline of February 18, 2026.

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