California Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) Grant Program

Grant Details:
Application Due Date: May 2012 est

Description: 

The Volunteer Fire Assistance Program (VFA), formerly known as the Rural Community Fire Protection (RCFP) Program, can provide Federal financial, technical, and other assistance to State Foresters and other appropriate officials to organize, train and equip fire departments in rural areas and rural communities to suppress fires. A rural community is defined as having 10,000 or less population. This 10,000 population limit for participation in the VFA Program facilitates distribution of available VFA funding to the most needy fire departments.

VFA Program Objectives:

1) Provide financial, technical, and related assistance to State Foresters to organize, train, and equip local firefighting forces for fire protection in rural areas and communities of 10,000 persons or less.

2) Determine benefits and costs of fire protection of rural lands and evaluate the distribution of these costs and benefits among all approproate entities.

3) Devlop policy and monitor States' administration of equipment and supplies purchased in whole or in part with Volunteer Fire Assistance Program funds.

4) Encourage and assist States in the use of Federal Excess Personal Property in achieving the goals and objectives of the VFA Program.

5) Encourage and assist the States in use of Federal procurement systems and sources of supply to achieve the goals and objectives of the VFA Program.

Eligible:

Any Fire agency or volunteer fire department that servies a community of 10,000 or less may apply

Cash Match:

VFA funds are granted on a 50/50 matchin basis.

Grants Funds:

- Fire equipment

- Training or training materials

- Cover the cost of departmen incorporation

Additional Contacts:

US Forest Service- Dennis Orbus

     Phone Number: 916-364-2851

     Email: dorbus@fs.fed.us

CAL FIRE- Karen Mayer

     Phone Number: 916-653-6179

     Email: Karen.Mayer@fire.ca.gov

Organization Information:
Organization: California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
Website: http://www.fire.ca.gov/resource_mgt/resource_mgt_forestryassistance.php

Contact Information:
Contact Name: Tom Crum
Contact Email: Tim.Crum@fire.ca.gov
Contact Phone: (916) 653-8362

More Information:
http://www.cafirealliance.org/grants/