State Funding
State fire department grant programs.
State programs are often less competitive than national ones and are built for local departments. Here are the state programs in our public reference list, and where to look in every state.
Where state fire funding comes from
- State fire marshal or fire services office — equipment, training and apparatus grants, and firefighter assistance programs.
- State forestry agency — federal Volunteer Fire Assistance funding for small communities, and excess federal property (FEPP and FFP).
- Firefighter relief or insurance-premium funds — in several states, a share of insurance premium taxes is distributed to fire departments.
- State emergency management and homeland security — preparedness and capital programs, and pass-through of federal funds.
- State revolving loan funds and rural development offices — low-interest financing for apparatus and stations.
State programs by state
Alabama
- Joint Fire Council EMS Equipment Grant — Alabama Fire College / Alabama Joint Fire Council · typically February–March
Florida
- Florida Firefighter Assistance Grant Program — Florida Division of State Fire Marshal · typically July–August
Kentucky
- Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) Grant — Kentucky Division of Forestry · typically February–April
Maine
- Volunteer Fire Capacity (VFC) Program — Maine Forest Service
Michigan
- Fire Equipment Grant Program — Michigan Department of Treasury · typically May–SeptemberAny local unit of government within Michigan whose fire department purchases fire equipment or fire gear -- at least half of the program's total funding is reserved for departments predominantly staffed by on-call, part-time, or volunteer personnel.
Mississippi
- Volunteer Firefighter Assistance Grant — Mississippi Forestry Commission · typically January–March
Montana
- Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) Grant — Montana DNRC Forestry Division · typically January–February
- Volunteer Fire Capacity (VFC) Grant — Montana DNRC Forestry Division · typically April–June
North Carolina
- Volunteer Fire Department Fund — North Carolina Office of the State Fire Marshal · typically January–MarchNorth Carolina volunteer fire departments. Grants matched dollar-for-dollar up to $40,000 (or $1 match per $3 of grant funds for departments receiving under $50,000/year in municipal/county funding).
Ohio
- Equipment and Training Reimbursement Grant — Ohio State Fire Marshal
Oklahoma
- Rural Fire Defense Program (80/20 Cost-Share) — Oklahoma Forestry Services
South Carolina
- Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) National Fire Plan Grant — South Carolina Forestry Commission · typically October–December
Utah
- Fire Department Assistance Grant — Utah Fire Department Assistance Grant Committee · typically January–February
Vermont
- Vermont Wildland Fire Gear Grant — Vermont Dept. of Forests, Parks and Recreation
Don't see your state? That doesn't mean there's no state funding — it means it isn't in our public list yet. Start with your state fire marshal and state forestry agency, and see the national programs in our fire department grants guide. Signed-in departments see current, verified state programs, deadlines and eligibility matched to them in Funding Intelligence.
Program names and typical timing as published by each state; this list is not a statement that a program is currently open. Capital Command is not affiliated with any state agency. Confirm current rules with the official source.