Texas fire departments received more than $15 million in grants Wednesday through the Texas A&M Forest Service Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program. In the first of three funding meetings for the year, the RVFDAP awarded 442 grants to 421 fire departments for firefighting vehicles, training and safety equipment.
Texas A&M Forest Service has administered the grant program under the Texas Legislature since 2002, having awarded 1,655 fire engines, 69,140 pieces of protective clothing and 69,134 training tuitions to Texas fire departments since the program’s inception.
“We are excited to provide the grant awards today. Whether it be a wildfire, flood, tornado or motor vehicle collision, fire departments valiantly make a difference in the protection of life and property,” said Texas A&M Forest Service Capacity Building Department Head Jason Keiningham.
In Texas, local fire departments are the first line of defense against wildfires and more than 85 percent of our fire departments are volunteer. State funding helps maintain well-trained, safe and equipped firefighters.
Ingleside Volunteer Fire Department was one of the departments to receive a grant Wednesday.
“The TFS grant program not only provides much needed resources for training and equipment, but it also is key to recruitment of personnel. The better equipped and trained your department is directly impacts the number of people wanting to be a member of your team,” said Ingleside Volunteer Fire Department Chief R.J. Thomas.
The RVFDAP is one way that the state helps build the capacity of local fire departments. But the need is great. After awarding $15,016,037 in grants this week there are still more than $170 million in outstanding requests.
The next funding meeting is scheduled for March 2017.
Established by the 77th Texas Legislature, RVFDAP, commonly known as House Bill 2604, provides funding to eligible fire departments. This grant program allows Texas A&M Forest Service to build capacity of Texas communities by providing funds to purchase life-saving equipment and training, including firefighter protective clothing, rescue equipment, dry-hydrants and firefighting vehicles. To learn more visit www.texasfd.com.
News release from the Texas A&M Forest Service
