Volunteer Fire Assistance Grants
Forecasted
The Volunteer Fire Assistance Grants from the Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry help rural fire departments improve wildfire preparedness with funding for equipment, PPE, and firefighter training.
Funder: Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry
Due Dates (Anticipated): July 2027 (application deadline, projected)
Funding Amounts: 50/50 cost-share; federal funds cover up to 50% of approved expenditures; no single item over $10,000; typical awards vary by year and available federal allocation.
Summary: Supports rural Louisiana fire departments in building capacity and improving wildfire preparedness through funding for equipment and training.
Key Information: Forecasted cycle—dates and requirements may change; check program page for updates.
Description
The Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) Grants, managed by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry (LDAF), are designed to help rural fire departments across Louisiana enhance their capabilities for wildfire response and firefighter safety. The program offers a 50/50 matching grant—federal funds pay up to half of approved purchases, with the local department providing the other half. Funding supports acquisition of essential firefighting equipment, personal protective equipment (PPE), communications, and training, all with the goal of increasing preparedness for wildfires and other rural fire emergencies.
There are two main tracks: the standard VFA grant (for general rural fire department needs) and a Wildland Fire specialty grant (for wildland-specific equipment and PPE). Both are intended to help departments serving communities of 10,000 or fewer residents and with at least 80% volunteer personnel. Funding is competitive and subject to annual federal appropriations.
