Apply by April 14 for IDNR Volunteer Fire Assistance grants

For Immediate Release – February 10, 2025

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is accepting applications for Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) grants from Feb. 14 through April 14.

The grant provides assistance for organizing, training, and equipping rural fire departments. Funding is passed through to local fire departments and fire training academies to prevent and suppress rural fires while enhancing the protection capabilities of rural communities at risk in the wildland-urban interface.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service VFA federal grant program provides matching funds to aid fire departments in the purchase of new equipment and helps fund training.

The VFA grant program reimburses 50% of the recipients’ costs of a project up to $10,000. Grant recipients must make the initial financial outlay for the projects before being reimbursed.

In 2024, the program awarded $212,811 for 30 Illinois projects. The types of projects that have been funded under previous grants include radios, hoses, self-contained breathing apparatus, turn-out gear, wildland personal protective equipment, hand tools, chainsaws, backpack blowers, modifying federal excess vehicles and equipment, and other equipment.

Additional information about grant requirements and opportunities can be found on the IDNR grants website and the Illinois Catalog of State Financial Assistance.