Texas A&M Forest Service awards nearly $5 million to rural volunteer fire departments
Texas A&M Forest Service awarded nearly $5 million to 118 rural volunteer fire departments across the state to support firefighting equipment and emergency response needs.
The $4.99 million awarded Aug. 26 will help departments purchase firefighting apparatus, fire and rescue equipment, protective clothing and other resources needed to safely and effectively respond to emergencies in their communities.
Rural volunteer fire departments provide essential emergency response services across Texas and often serve as the first line of response to wildfires and other emergencies. Funding through the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program helps departments maintain response capabilities while providing firefighters with the resources needed to safely serve their communities.
“We work diligently to utilize all available program funds to assist fire departments in acquiring the necessary equipment and training to allow them to better protect life and property across the state of Texas,” said Jason Keiningham, Texas A&M Forest Service Capacity Building Department Head. “We’re proud to do everything in our power to help our partners in the fire service.”
The assistance was awarded during the fifth and final round of fiscal year 2026. Demand for assistance through the program routinely exceeds available funding as volunteer fire departments work to maintain and replace vehicles, protective gear and other essential resources. In response to the continued need, the 89th Texas Legislature allocated an unprecedented $192 million in one-time additional funding to address outstanding funding requests.
In fiscal year 2026, Texas A&M Forest Service awarded over $227 million through the program to support 1,229 volunteer fire departments across the state.
In addition to providing grants for firefighting apparatus and equipment, the program provides funding for training tuition, volunteer recruitment resources and the repair or replacement of equipment damaged or lost following catastrophic events or declared states of disaster.
Applications not approved during the Aug. 26 funding round will automatically move forward for consideration during future funding rounds. The next funding round is scheduled for October 2026.
View the list of Aug. 26 grant recipients.
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About
The Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program was established by Texas House Bill 2604 in 2001 to provide grants to rural volunteer fire departments for essential firefighting equipment and training. The program has awarded over $600 million since its inception.
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