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Rural Fire Capacity

Grantor:

Department of Forestry and Fire Protection

Portal ID:

9104

Status:

Closed (180 total applications submitted)

Opportunity Type:

• Grant

Last Updated:

July 19, 2023, 1:42 pm

Categories:

• Disaster Prevention & Relief

Details

Purpose:

The Rural Fire Capacity Grant Program provides funding to organize, train, and equip fire departments in rural areas and rural communities to prevent and suppress fires.

Description:

Cost-share funds will be awarded to local governments to provide assistance to rural areas in upgrading their capability to organize, train, and equip local forces for fire protection. Awards will be limited to a minimum of $500 and a projected maximum of $20,000.

Further assistance may be provided through loans from other sources of Federal funds for purchase of major items of equipment and facilities.

Proposed projects should be compatible with existing protection of state, county, and local areas.  Communities or agencies imposing strict boundary limits, i.e., excluding rural residents will not be considered in this program.

The use of funds for new fire engines and other vehicles are not allowed. 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 under the RFC grant.

Training of local fire forces in both wildfire and structural fire techniques is a primary goal of this grant. 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.

Communications, for alarm systems and dispatch capabilities, should be considered an integral part of the rural fire department. Funds are available for the development and purchase of radio equipment for dispatching centers, vehicles and alert monitors, and pagers.

Requests for construction projects of any type are NOT fundable.

Requests for HAZMAT, extrication, rescue, medical aid, and other non-fire training costs or materials are NOT fundable.

Eligibility Requirements

Eligible Applicants:

• Nonprofit
• Public Agency
• Tribal Government

Funding for departments must meet at least one of the following qualifications:

 

1.     A single fire department serving a rural area or a rural community with a population of 10,000 or less.

 

2.     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 RFC funding must be used to benefit the rural population.

 

3.     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 RFC funding must be used for the rural area.

 

4.     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 RFC funding is used entirely to support the rural community.

A single community fire department serving a population greater than 10,000 and not providing protection to a rural area or to a rural community is not eligible for RFC financial assistance.

Eligible Geographies:

Funding for departments must meet at least one of the following qualifications:

 

1.     A single fire department serving a rural area or a rural community with a population of 10,000 or less.

 

2.     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 RFC funding must be used to benefit the rural population.

 

3.     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 RFC funding must be used for the rural area.

 

4.     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 RFC funding is used entirely to support the rural community.

A single community fire department serving a population greater than 10,000 and not providing protection to a rural area or to a rural community is not eligible for RFC financial assistance.

Matching Funding Requirement:

Matched funds can be provided in anyway except the use of other 13Federal grant dollars.