The Texas A&M Forest Service recently conducted its fourth funding round for fiscal year 2026 on May 15, in the process awarding approximately $29.3 million in grants to Texas volunteer fire departments.
These grants are provided through the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program, which was established in 2001 to assist volunteer fire departments with the purchase of equipment and training.
The $29.3 million dollars was divided among 531 grants, which address volunteer fire department requests for personal protective equipment, slip-on units, fire and rescue equipment, water tenders, small brush trucks, and training aids.
All departments awarded grants have received official written notice of approval, which was emailed to each department on May 15. Any applications for assistance not approved for grants during this round of funding have automatically rolled forward and will be reconsidered during future funding rounds.
Local recipients include Smyer Volunteer Fire Department, who received $25,000 for fire and rescue equipment purchases, Ropesville Volunteer Fire Department, who received $300,000 for a new water tender, and Littlefield Fire Department, who were granted $25,000 to purchase personal protective equipment.
Texas A&M Forest Service has been administering the grant program under Texas Legislature since 2002, and with help from the latter, has awarded a total of $225 million in fiscal year 2026 so far.
Because Texas uses a tiered approach for wildfire response, local fire departments and counties usually end up being the first on a scene. With more than 85% of Texas fire departments being volunteer, this grant funding is crucial for maintaining well-trained and equipped firefighters to respond to these wildfires quickly and safely.
“With increased funding from the Legislature, we’ve been able to provide support to more volunteer fire departments than ever before,” said Texas A&M Forest Service Capacity Building Department Head, Jason Keiningham. “We’re proud to do everything in our power to help out partners in the fire service.”