Volunteer Fire Assistance Program (VFA) - Montana

Grant Details:
Application Due Date: TBA

Description: 

Overview:
The Volunteer Fire Assistance Program (VFA) is a federal matching funds program with dollars provided through the USDA Forest Service. The program is administered by the Montana State Forester (State Department of Natural Resources and Conservation - DNRC). The VFA provides funds and technical assistance to the Montana DNRC to organize, train and equip local forces for preventing and suppressing wildfires.

Project Focus Areas:

• Fire Protection Organization and Planning
  • Formation of Rural and Volunteer Fire Districts
  • Fire Plans
• Fire Training
  • Structural fire protection
  • Wildland fire protection
• Fire Equipment
  • Communications systems
  • Conversion of Excess Military Property
  • New equipment purchases
• Fire Prevention
  • Signs, posters, and educational materials
  • Smoke detectors, tools, and equipment
  • Prevention projects
• Wildland Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

**Construction or improvement of fire stations for housing fire equipment, normal operational expenses, and maintenance expenses cannot qualify for Volunteer Fire Assistance funds.

Eligibility: Only communities under 10,000 in population, but groups of smaller communities may join together in a combined effort to serve more than 10,000 people.

Good To Know:

• Financial assistance on any project cannot exceed 50 percent of the actual expenditures, including expenditures of local and private non-profit organizations participating in the agreement.
• Costs associated with the project prior to project approval are normally not eligible for funding.
• Application Form

Organization Information:
Organization: Montana State Department of Natural Resources & Conservation
Website: http://dnrc.mt.gov/default.asp

Contact Information:
Contact Name: Doug Williams
Contact Email: dwilliams4@mt.gov
Contact Phone: 406-622-5455

More Information:
http://dnrc.mt.gov/forestry/Fire/Grants/vfa.asp