Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program (RVFDAP (HB2604))
A large, long-running cost-share program helping rural volunteer fire departments buy firefighting vehicles, fire and rescue equipment, protective clothing, and dry hydrants, and pay for firefighter training. Also funds volunteer recruitment resources and emergency assistance after declared disasters.
Who it is for
Recognized nonprofit volunteer fire departments operated by their members. Part-paid/part-volunteer (combination) departments qualify if they have 20 or fewer paid members. The department must operate within a designated, non-overlapping county primary protection area and be in good standing with the state and the agency.
Department types: Volunteer, Combination
An honest note on fit
The strongest state option in Texas for a rural volunteer or small-combination department, with unusually deep funding and a track record of awarding apparatus. Career departments and larger combination departments (more than 20 paid members) are not eligible.
Before you start
How you apply: Apply directly to the funder.
Apply directly to the Texas A&M Forest Service through its FireConnect portal. This is state money, not a federal pass-through.
Match required: Yes, it is a cost-share program. The department contributes a share of the cost. Confirm the current ratio for your grant type.
How to apply
- Confirm eligibility: a recognized nonprofit volunteer or small-combination department (20 or fewer paid members) in a designated county protection area.
- Create an account in FireConnect, the Forest Service's portal for fire department assistance programs.
- Submit your funding request for the equipment, vehicle, or training you need, ahead of the relevant funding meeting cutoff.
- Awards are decided at periodic funding meetings during the fiscal year. Watch the RVFDAP page for meeting dates and request deadlines.
- If awarded a cost-share grant, provide your share and complete the grant agreement.
Deadline: Multiple funding meetings per fiscal year rather than one deadline. FY2026 held its first funding meeting in October 2025, distributing a large appropriation to departments that had requested funds by an earlier cutoff. Check the RVFDAP page for the next meeting and request deadline. (Annual cycle)
Funding: One of the largest state fire programs in the country. The 89th Texas Legislature appropriated about $192 million for the program, and it has awarded over $500 million since 2001. Individual cost-share grants have ranged from under $20,000 for equipment to around $200,000 for an apparatus.
Verified as of 2026-05-31. Programs are checked periodically against their official source. Funding details and deadlines change. Confirm the current requirements on the official program page before you apply.