Nevada Volunteer Fire Assistance Program

Grant Details:
Amount: $20,000
Application Due Date: November 2013 est

Description: 

The Nevada Division of Forestry (NDF) is accepting grant applications for the Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) Program. The intent of the program is to prepare rural (local and volunteer) fire departments, which protect communities with populations of less than 10,000, to improve their readiness for and response to wildfires-especially in the wildland-urban interface. While paid fire departments are not excluded from participation in the VFA Program, targeting of grants to qualifying fire departments having a membership comprised of at least 80% volunteer firefighters is encouraged. All Fire Departments meeting the criteria, and interested in applying for funds from NDF, should prepare and submit an application to NDF’s State Headquarters (see end of this announcement for address and contact information.)

Who Can Apply?
Single Fire Departments serving rural areas or communities with a population of less than 10,000 are eligible for funding through this program.

Area fire departments (fire districts, townships, etc.) may serve an aggregate population of greater than 10,000 as long as the service area of the fire department includes a rural area or a rural community having a population of 10,000 or less. The VFA funding must be used to benefit the rural population.

VFA grants may be approved to fire training academies if they benefit the rural communities and to federally recognized Indian tribes as long as the VFD is not administered by the BIA.

What Can the Funds Be Used For?

Funds can be used to provide technical assistance to departments for training and equipment to enhance protection capabilities across all land ownerships. Projects will be scored based on departments/communities with the greatest need and projects that will bring the most benefit to the communities served. Eligible projects/items include:
-Developing static water supplies (ie dry hydrants and cisterns)
-Developing or sustaining multi-community/fire department projects such as a mutual aid communications networks
-Converting FEPP vehicles to water tenders, engines, brush trucks, and equipment trucks
-Providing fire management training to department volunteers
-Purchasing equipment, apparatus, and supplies to safely and adequately respond to wildland fires and all risk incidents in rural communities (to include but not limited to radios, nozzles, hose, self-contained breathing apparatus, handtools, personal protective clothing, portable pumps, generators, class “A” foam delivery equipment, foam concentrate, fire apparatus, and FEPP apparatus.)

VFA is not authorized for purchase, construction or renovation of capital improvements such as fire stations or pressurized water systems. Loans are available through other Federal sources for these purposes. VFDs administered by the BIA are not eligible through this program and should apply through the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Application

Organization Information:
Organization: Nevada Division of Forestry
Website: http://forestry.nv.gov/

Contact Information:
Contact Name: Kacey KC
Contact Email: kaceykc@forestry.nv.gov
Contact Phone: 775-684-2511

More Information:
http://forestry.nv.gov/?page_id=298