Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) Program (California)

 
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    CFDA#

    		 

    Funder Type

    State Government

    IT Classification

    A - Primarily intended to fund technology

    Authority

    California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)

    Summary

    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 Included equipment that can send/receive communication such as portable radios, walkie 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, chainsaws, etc., which will be used for Wildland firefighting. Vehicles are not allowable.
    • 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. Vehicles are not allowable.
    • Safety-Wildland Includes PPE for Wildland firefighting such as Nomex suits, boots, gloves, hoods, goggles, fire shelters, hydration packs, etc. Medical/first response and rescue items are not allowable.
    • Safety-Structural Includes PPE for Structural firefighting such as gloves, turnout pants and coats, hoods, goggles, boots, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA), etc. Medical/first response and rescue items are not allowable.
    • Training Includes any skill learned through videos, books, training components, tuition for offsite training, 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.

     

    History of Funding

    None is available. 

    Additional Information

    The following activities are not eligible for this grant program: 
    • The purchase of new fire engines and other vehicles. However, the cost of the conversion of vehicles obtained through the Federal Excess Personal Property Program (FEPP) to water tenders, engines, brush trucks, and equipment trucks may be funded
    • Requests for construction projects of any type
    • Requests for HAZMAT, extrication, rescue, medical aid, and other non-fire training costs or materials

    Contacts

    Doug Ferro

    Doug Ferro

    ,

    Megan Esfandiary

    Megan Esfandiary
    1416 9th Street PO Box 944246
    Sacramento, CA 94244
    (916) 653-5123

    Brian Giambrone

    Brian Giambrone

    ,

    Brandon Grundhoefer

    Brandon Grundhoefer
    P.O. Box 944246
    Sacramento, CA 94244
    (916) 862-2470
     

  • Eligibility Details

    Funding for departments must meet at least one of the following qualifications:
    • A single fire department serving a rural area or a rural community with a population of 10,000 or less.
    • Area fire departments (fire districts, townships, etc.) may serve an aggregate population of greater than 10,000 as long as the service area of the fire department includes a rural area or a rural community having a population of 10,000 or less. The VFA funding must be used to benefit the rural population.
    • A single county or town with a population over 10,000 which is served by two or more fire districts operating entirely within the bounds of the county or town may qualify as long as the service area of a given fire department includes a rural area or a rural community or the population of the fire department's jurisdiction is 10,000 or less. The VFA funding must be used for the rural area.
    • A single community with a population greater than 10,000 and having a single fire department with one or more fire stations may qualify. The fire department must have a service area that includes a rural area or community that does not exceed 10,000 population. Also a single community with a population greater than 10,000 which also provides fire protection to an adjoining rural community of 10,000 or less population by contract may also be eligible provided the VFA funding is used entirely to support the rural community.

    Deadline Details

    Applications were to be submitted by May 31, 2026. A similar deadline is anticipated annually. 

    Award Details

    Awards will be limited to a minimum of $500 and a projected maximum of $20,000. The VFC/VFA Program has a 50/50 match requirement which means that the applying department must be able to meet the intended grant award, dollar for dollar.

    Related Webcasts Use the links below to view the recorded playback of these webcasts



 

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