Texas A&M Forest Service awards $280K to East Texas volunteer fire departments for vital equipment

ANDERSON, Texas — The Texas A&M Forest Service held the second of three funding meetings for 2025, awarding 94 grants totaling $2.1 million.

Grants proposed at the meeting assist volunteer fire departments across Texas in purchasing equipment, including dry hydrants, fire and rescue equipment and personal protective equipment. 

“Texas’ local fire departments are the first to respond to wildfires and diverse emergencies and natural disasters,” said Jason Keiningham, Texas A&M Forest Service capacity building department head. “Through the Rural VFD Assistance Program, we do everything we can to ensure that their firefighting capacity is strong by helping them purchase necessary equipment.”

A total of $280,000 was awarded to volunteer fire departments in East Texas. Those grants can be found below:

Bethel Cayuga Volunteer Fire Department: $10,000 toward training aids.

Bradford Volunteer Fire Department: $25,000 toward personal protective equipment.

Elkhart Volunteer Fire Department: $25,000 toward fire and rescue equipment.

Zavalla Volunteer Fire Department: $25,000 toward fire and rescue equipment.

Lake Palestine East Volunteer Fire Department Inc.: $25,000 toward fire and rescue equipment.

Wells Volunteer Fire Department: $25,000 towards personal protective equipment.

Nesbitt Volunteer Fire Department: $25,000 towards personal protective equipment.

Waskom Volunteer Fire Department/EMS Services, Inc.: $25,000 towards personal protective equipment.

Chandler Volunteer Fire Department: $25,000 towards personal protective equipment.

Loco Valley Volunteer Fire Department: $25,000 toward personal protective equipment.

Pendleton Harbor Volunteer Fire Department: $25,000.00 towards personal protective equipment.

Flint-Gresham Volunteer Fire Department Inc.: $10,000 toward training aids.

Canton Fire Department: $10,000.00 towards training aids.