Wildland Fire Suppression Kits available to Volunteer Fire Departments

 

August 27, 2020



The Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Division of Forestry is accepting applications for the 2020 Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) program until Sept. 11. Departments may now apply for VFA Wildland Fire Suppression Kits to supplement their department’s wildland firefighting capacity.

“Volunteer fire departments across the state are a valuable partner in protecting life and property from wildfire,” State Forester David Arnold said. “Our Volunteer Fire Assistance Program ensures county and municipal volunteer fire departments have the resources they need to safely and efficiently fight fire.”

The VFA Wildland Fire Suppression kits will consist of wildland fire personal protective equipment, tools, and other supplies with a total value of approximately $3,000.

Volunteer fire departments serving communities with populations of 10,000 or less are eligible. Fire departments must have a current Memorandum of Understanding with the Tennessee Division of Forestry dated after June 30, 2015. 

In 2019, the Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) Program allotted $275,778 to assist 106 volunteer fire departments across the state build their capacity to fight wildfires. The Division is moving from cost share grants awarded to fire departments for wildland fire equipment to providing this equipment directly to eligible departments. For added savings and efficiency, these departments will no longer be required to provide a 50 percent match and purchase this equipment themselves. 

Applications for the Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) program are accepted now through Sept. 11 and must be submitted to the Assistant District Forester in the applicant’s area. A list can be found at http://www.tn.gov/agriculture/forests/staff.html. For more information about the grant, visit http://www.burnsafetn.org.

 

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