Forestry - Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant - 2025

Ends on

 

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law - Volunteer Fire Assistance

Grant Opportunity opens on December 1, 2024

Closes on January 24, 2025

 

VFA GRANT PURPOSE 

Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) funding supported by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), will provide financial, technical, and related assistance to rural volunteer fire departments to conduct preparedness and mobilization activities, including training, equipping, and otherwise enabling response to requests for the prevention, control and suppression of fires occurring on rural lands and threatening rural communities. This federal funding is passed through and administered by the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC).

 

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS 

A rural fire department is defined as - an organized, not-for-profit, fire protection organization that provides service primarily to a community or city with a population of 10,000 or less in a rural area, as defined by the Secretary of Agriculture, whose firefighting personnel is 80 percent or more volunteer and is recognized as a fire department by the laws of the State. 16 U.S.C. 2106. 

 

GRANT MATCH REQUIREMENTS

  • Match for Bipartisan Infrastructure Law-Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant requires a 50/50 cost share match. · Financial assistance on any project requires a non-federal match for project expenditures. 

 

REQUIREMENTS

  • National Fire Incident Reporting (NFIRS) compliant by reporting ALL fire occurrences to NFIRS as required by Montana Law (ARM 23.12.402). 
  • National Incident Management System (NIMS) compliant.
  • At the time of application for a VFA grant, the applicant must be registered in Systems for Award Management (SAM) and hold an active Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). 
  • Taxpayer/Federal Identification Number (TIN).
  • Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion - Lower Tier Covered Transactions, Form AD-1048.
  • Recipients are required to be registered with the federal government System for Award Management (SAM) at https://sam.gov/content/home prior to receiving an award. You will need a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).
  • Financial assistance on any project requires a non-federal match for project expenditures. The funding must be matched on a 50 percent basis (50% VFA-50% match).

 

APPROVED PROJECTS

  • Wildland Training for Department Personnel
  • Wildland Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
  • Wildland Equipment and Water Handling
  • Radio Communications (P25 Compliant)
  • Fire Department Organization and Planning. 
  • Formation of a NEW rural or volunteer fire district

 

UNAPPROVED PROJECTS

  • Any single item costing $5,000 or more will not be eligible for grant funding consideration.
  • Construction or improvement of fire stations for housing equipment, normal operational expenses and maintenance do not qualify for VFA funds.
  • Structural PPE and equipment.
  • Boots.
  • Medical Supplies and Equipment.

 

How To Apply

  • The Application can be downloaded HERE.
  • The Application Guide can be downloaded HERE.
  • Paper copies of both the Application and the Guide can be acquired by calling (406) 542-4267.
  • Upload and submit your completed application and Appendix A forms electronically using the form below.
  • Or send completed applications to DNRC VFA Grant Program Manager at rheablankenship@mt.gov 
  • Or returned completed applications via USPS to DNRC, Attention: Rhea Blankinship, 2705 Spurgin Road, Missoula MT 59804


 

All applications due by January 24, 2025.

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