Texas A&M Forest Service recently approved $29.3 million in funding for grants to Texas volunteer fire departments through the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program. Several local departments were among the recent awardees.
In the fourth funding round of the year, the program awarded 531 grants addressing volunteer fire department requests for personal protective equipment, slip-on units, fire and rescue equipment, water tenders, small brush trucks and training aids.
In Hill County, grants went to the following:
Cedar Creek (formerly 2604) Volunteer Fire Department – $45,000 for a slip-on unit
Bynum Volunteer Fire Department – $25,000 for fire and rescue equipment
City of Blum Fire and Rescue – $10,000 for training aids
Itasca Volunteer Fire Department – $45,000 for a slip-on unit
Lakeview Volunteer Fire Department – $10,000 for training aids
Mertens Volunteer Fire Department – $25,000 for fire and rescue equipment
Mount Calm Volunteer Fire Department – $25,000 for fire and rescue equipment
Whitney Fire and Rescue – $25,000 for personal protective equipment
Bosque County departments receiving grants were:
Clifton Volunteer Fire Department – $45,000 for a slip-on unit
Cranfills Gap Volunteer Fire Department – $45,000 for a slip-on unit
Iredell Volunteer Fire Department – $25,000 for personal protective equipment
Kopperl Volunteer Fire Department – $25,000 for personal protective equipment
Morgan Volunteer Fire Department – $25,000 for fire and rescue equipment
Valley Mills Volunteer Fire Department – $45,000 for a slip-on unit
West Shore Volunteer Fire Department – $25,000 for personal protective equipment
Texas A&M Forest Service has administered the grant program under the Texas Legislature since 2002.
Recognizing Texas volunteer fire departments’ critical ongoing needs for vehicles, equipment, safety gear and training, the 89th Texas Legislature appropriated approximately $88 million in funding for the biennium (fiscal years 2026-27)—the most ever allocated—to keep up with annual demand.
Texas uses a tiered approach to wildfire response, establishing local fire departments and counties as the first on the scene.
More than 85% of Texas fire departments are volunteer though, and grant funding helps maintain well-trained, safe and equipped firefighters.
The Lakelander 