Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) Grant
The Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources helps rural fire departments in Ohio acquire advanced equipment to improve wildfire response and safety.
Funder: Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Due Dates (Anticipated): November 2026
Funding Amounts: Up to $10,000 per award; 50/50 cost share; annual cycle
Summary: Supports Ohio rural volunteer fire departments in acquiring wildland fire equipment and resources to strengthen wildfire protection.
Key Information: Only fire departments in designated Ohio Wildfire Protection Areas are eligible.
Description
The Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) Grant, administered by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Forestry, is a 50/50 cost share program designed to help rural volunteer fire departments in Ohio acquire essential wildland fire equipment and resources. The grant prioritizes the purchase of items such as UTVs, ATVs, wildfire slip-in units, personal protective equipment (PPE), and MARCS communication devices. The overall goal is to enhance the safety, effectiveness, and wildfire response capabilities of volunteer fire departments operating within designated Wildfire Protection Areas.
