The Volunteer Fire Capacity Grant Program (Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) Program) is a federally funded grant program that allows California to provide local and rural fire departments with minor firefighting, training, communications and safety equipment for their volunteer firefighters. The VFC/VFA Program is not intended for major equipment (fire engines, vehicles, etc) or Capital repairs.
Funding may be used for the following categories:
- Communications - Includes anything that can receive communications such as radios, handie talkies, pagers, alarm systems, etc. Towers are not acceptable items even if they are portable.
- Equipment (Wildland) - Includes tangible items that do not fit in the Communications, Safety or Training categories such as hand tools, fire hoses, nozzles, clamps, etc. which will be used for Wildland firefighting.
- Equipment (Structural) - Includes tangible items that do not fit in the Communications, Safety or Training categories such as fire hoses, nozzles, clamps etc. which will be used for Structural firefighting.
- Safety (Wildland) - Includes PPE for Wildland firefighting such as Nomex suits, hoods, goggles, Self-contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA), fire shelters, hydration packs, etc.
- Safety (Structural) - Includes PPE for Structural firefighting such as gloves, turnout pants and coats, hoods, goggles, boots, etc.
- Training - Includes any skill learned through videos, books, training components, tuition for training offsite, etc. Out of State training is not allowable.
NOTE: Training of local fire forces in both wildfire and structural fire techniques is a primary goal of this program. The program should include a basic training program of at least 40 hours. In addition, an advanced training course of at least 40 hours should be developed.