Effective immediately, the Texas A&M Forest Service Emergency Services Grants Unit based in College Station will be sending receipt letters, approval letters, grant extensions and expiration notices via email. The email account on the application will receive the response notice. Letters will only be mailed after two failed attempts have been made via email.
Historical Funding Information
NIMS Compliance- Federal Grant Eligibility
Overview...
Created by the 77th Texas Legislature (HB 2604) the Rural VFD Assistance Program provides $7 million per year in grants for equipment and training. The Texas Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program is a cost-share program funded by the Texas State Legislature. It provides funding to rural volunteer fire departments for the acquisition of firefighting vehicles, fire and rescue equipment, protective clothing, dry-hydrants, computer systems and firefighter training.
Who is eligible...
Chartered, non-profit volunteer fire department operated by its members is eligible. Any part-paid/part-volunteer fire department is also eligible provided the number of paid members is 20 or less.
An Applicant receiving grant assistance for the acquisition of a firefighting vehicle or truck chassis under this program is not eligible for additional grant assistance on another vehicle for a period to be determined by the Texas A&M Forest Service. It is the intent of the program to approve a vehicle grant for every applicant before providing a second vehicle grant to a previous grant recipient.
What is eligible for cost-share assistance...
| Computers |
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Dry hydrants |
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Tuition for certified training |
| Brush trucks |
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Training libraries |
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- Basic structural |
| Tankers |
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Electronic projectors |
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- Basic wildland |
| Truck chassis |
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- Intermediate structural |
| Slip-on modules |
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- Intermediate wildland |
| PPE |
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- Advanced structural |
| Fire equipment |
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- Advanced wildland |
| Rescue equipment |
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- Methods of teaching |
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- Incident command system |
Cost-Share Rates
Training Tuition grants are approved continuously. Applications must be received before the course start-date. Applications received on or after the course start-date are not eligible for reimbursement.
Purchases made before a grant approval date are not eligible for reimbursement. Purchases must be made after the grant approval date.
Applications remain active and on file until approved or cancelled in writing.
How to apply...
It's easy, simply complete and submit the following forms via mail or fax.
1) Application for Fire Department Assistance - Volunteer Programs (TFS-FO-400)
2) Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification (W-9)
Mail:
Texas A&M Forest Service
Emergency Services Grants Unit
200 Technology Way, Suite 1162
College Station, Texas 77845-3424
Fax: (979)845-6160 (If faxed, please call our office to confirm it was received.)
IMPORTANT!
- A W-9 form must accompany each application.
- The Application and W-9 form must be SIGNED and DATED.
The Application for Rural Fire Defense Assistance and W-9 form may also be acquired by contacting the Texas A&M Forest Service at (979) 458-6505 or (936) 639-8100.
Email: 2604@tfs.tamu.edu
Minimum standards and specifications for firefighting vehicles
FY '13 Structural PPE Guidelines
FY '13 Wildland PPE Guidelines
Suggested specifications for mid-size CAFS
Training tuition guidelines
Notice to Purchasers of New Fire Trucks
Annual Reports