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DEC Announces $851,255 in Volunteer Fire Capacity
Grant Funding Now Available
Published: December 03, 2025
at 09:00 a.m.
By: Press Release
from NYC DEC
DEC Announces $851,255 in Volunteer Fire Capacity
Grant Funding Now Available
Funds Assist with Purchases of Wildland Firefighting
Equipment for Rural Fire Departments
The New York
State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is now accepting
applications for $851,255 in Volunteer Fire Capacity grants to help rural
fire departments protect public safety and natural resources. The
application deadline is December 22, 2025.
“Volunteer fire
departments are essential partners with DEC Forest Rangers in battling
wildfires across the state,” said DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton.
“The Volunteer Fire Capacity grant program helps support fire personnel in
these departments with the resources they need to continue the vital work
protecting our communities and State lands.”
The Volunteer
Fire Capacity grant program is funded by the U.S. Forest Service and
administered by DEC’s Division of Forest Protection. Eligible fire
departments will receive 50/50 matching funds up to $3,500, a $1,000
increase from last year. In 2024, the program provided grants to 345 fire
departments.
Eligible fire
departments include those that are at least 80 percent volunteer and
provide wildland fire protection to a rural area within their jurisdiction.
Fire departments that receive a grant award must complete all grant process
paperwork.
Only expenses
directly related to wildland firefighting suppression efforts are eligible
for funding. These include the purchase of protective fire clothing
and PPE, modern communications supplies for more effective action on
incidents, firefighting supplies such as nozzles and hoses, tools and other
smaller scale supplies, and water delivery systems such as cisterns and dry
hydrants.
Expenditures not
directly related to firefighting, such as search and rescue supplies,
acquisition of land, construction of buildings and facilities, major
apparatus purchases, and maintenance items (gas/gas cans, oil, bar
chain oil) are not eligible for funding.
For applications and additional information about the grant
program, contact DEC at (518) 402-8839, or write to NYSDEC, Division of
Forest Protection, 625 Broadway 11th Floor, Albany, NY 12233-2560, or visit
the DEC website.
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