AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas A&M Forest Service announced that on March 5, it awarded $2.1 million in grants to rural volunteer fire departments (VFDs) across the state, per a news release from the agency.
The big boost in funding, as part of the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program, will help VFDs buy lifesaving items such as training aids, dry hydrants, as well as fire and rescue equipment, according to a news release.
“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,” said Jason Keiningham, the Texas A&M Forest Service Capacity Building Department Head. “This increases the ability of fire departments across the state to fight wildland fires, cooperate on different types of incidents and aid other states in times of need.”
The Texas A&M Forest Service awarded a total of 94 grants to various rural VFDs, including some here in Central Texas, per the release.
Central Texas volunteer fire departments receiving funding boost:
- Bertram Volunteer Fire Department: $25,000 for fire and rescue equipment
- Burnet Volunteer Fire Department: $10,000 for training aids
- Marble Falls Area Volunteer Fire Department: $25,000 for personal protective equipment
- City of Milano Volunteer Fire Department: $25,000 for personal protective equipment
Over the past 24 years, the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program has awarded volunteer fire departments across the state more than $380 million. The next funding meeting for the program is set for Aug. 6.
