Grants Directory › Fire Department Grants › Volunteer Fire Capacity (VFA) Program

Fire Department Grants · State

Volunteer Fire Capacity (VFA) Program

Maine Forest Service / USDA Forest Service · Rural communities (population 10,000 or fewer)

Closed

Up to $5,000Maximum $5,000 per applicant; 50/50 matching grant, towns must match grant funds dollar for dollar in cash2026 program cycle closed Dec 19, 2025; Maine Forest Service adjusted the schedule in 2025 to a mid-December deadline, so the 2027 cycle is expected to close mid-December 2026 (exact date not yet published)Deadline / status

Who's eligible

Rural fire departments (NIMS compliant)

About this program

Federal cost-share grants help rural fire departments buy wildland firefighting equipment, PPE, and water-handling gear to prevent and suppress fires.

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