The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is now accepting applications for Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) grants from February 14th to April 14th. These grants are designed to help organize, train, and equip rural fire departments, enhancing their capabilities to prevent and suppress rural fires, particularly in communities at risk in the wildland-urban interface.
The VFA grant program, funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, offers matching funds to assist fire departments in purchasing new equipment and funding training initiatives. Recipients can be reimbursed for 50% of the costs of their projects, up to a maximum of $10,000. It is important to note that grant recipients must cover the initial costs before receiving reimbursement.
In 2024, the program awarded a total of $212,811 across 30 projects in Illinois. Past funding has supported various initiatives, including the acquisition of radios, hoses, self-contained breathing apparatus, turn-out gear, wildland personal protective equipment, hand tools, chainsaws, backpack blowers, and modifications to federal excess vehicles and equipment.
For more information on grant requirements and how to apply, please visit the IDNR grants website and the Illinois Catalog of State Financial Assistance.
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