MS Forestry Commission Helps Rural Volunteer Fire Departments Purchase Equipment

The Mississippi Forestry Commission (MFC) is now accepting grant applications for the Volunteer Fire Assistance Program from rural volunteer fire departments (VFDs) statewide. The Volunteer Fire Assistance Program provides grant funds to eligible rural VFDs to purchase wildland firefighting equipment. The Mississippi Forestry Commission administers this program through an agreement with the U.S. Forest Service.

Applications must be received by Wednesday, March 1, 2023.

To download the application, visit our Rural Fire Assistance page.

“We value our volunteer firefighting partners. Their hard work and assistance are greatly appreciated as we work together protecting people’s lives, homes, and forestland,” said Russell Bozeman, State Forester. “Helping rural volunteer fire departments purchase the equipment they need through these federal grant funds benefits the communities they serve.”

In FY 2022, MFC awarded 51 grants worth $226,917 to volunteer fire departments through the Volunteer Fire Assistance Program. MFC also issued 80 vehicles and pieces of wildland firefighting equipment with an estimated value of over $6 million to volunteer fire departments statewide through the Firefighter Property Program. This federal excess property program allows the purchase of government surplus vehicles for wildland and rural firefighting.

For more information on these programs, visit our Rural Fire Assistance page.

To learn more about the Mississippi Forestry Commission, please visit our website and follow us on social media: YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.