In The News
SC Forestry Commission Accepting 2020 Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) Grant Applications
August 21, 2020
The SC Forestry Commission is currently accepting applications for the 2020 Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA)/National Fire Plan (NFP) Grant. This grant is often referred to as the "forestry" grant within the fire service. Application deadline is October 1, 2020. All applications must be post marked by the deadline date.
The South Carolina Forestry Commission administers the Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) grants funded through the USDA Forest Service. The program offers 50/50 matching fund grants intended to increase firefighting capacity, especially of those fire departments serving communities in the wildland urban interface. Fire departments serving rural communities with a population of 10,000 or less are eligible for the Volunteer Fire Assistance grants.
The intent of the VFA/NFP grant is to help the rural volunteer fire departments meet the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) challenge in South Carolina. Through financial assistance in purchasing wildland firefighting equipment and making necessary training available, rural volunteer fire departments can more effectively and safely assist the Forestry Commission in dealing with wildland fires that threaten the rural developments and communities they serve.
Priority will be given to those applying for the first time, assisting with SCFC Firewise Communities, purchasing communications equipment (especially radios), and needing to purchase equipment to outfit their federal excess equipment loaned or provided by SCFC.
Follow the SC Forestry Commission link for additional information and application process http://www.state.sc.us/forest/fgrants.htm