Rural Fire Department Resources for Local Officials
What Information and Funding Resources are Available for Rural Fire Departments?
Planning Resources ||
Funding and Program Assistance ||
Training Resources ||
Statistics and Data Resources ||
Additional Resources ||
Publications
There is a wide range of information available regarding all aspects of fire
department operation including funding sources for operations, facilities,
firefighter equipment, fire trucks and training, and first responder
emergencies. This FAQ includes general
rural fire information, training programs, statistical information and
publications on fire issues that include: emergency medical services, emergency
preparedness and first responders facility funding, operation and management, fire
safety and prevention, hazardous materials, and wildland fires. This publication was Modified: May, 2008 |
Fire Truck
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Planning Resources
Funding and Program Assistance
There are different forms of funding programs available to rural fire departments including grants, loans, donations, and reimbursements. Consult grant writing resources for assistance in preparing successful proposals
and in obtaining funding applications and information for obtaining a DUNS number that is required of all organizations/entities applying for a federal grant or cooperation agreement.
Guides to Federal Programs
U.S. Department of Agriculture
- Forest Service
- Healthy Forests and Rangelands
A joint program with the USDA, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Interior and the National Association of State Foresters for wildland fire issues. National Fire Plan projects included.
- Federal Excess Personal Property Program - Federal personal property that was originally purchased for use by a Federal agency and acquired by the USDA Forest Service for loan to one of the 50 States or 6 Territories for use in the State's rural or wildland fire protection program.
- Volunteer Fire Assistance Program This program provides Federal financial, technical, and other assistance to State foresters to train, and equip fire departments in rural areas and rural communities of 10,000 or less population. The funding must be matched on a 50-50% basis by non-federal dollars or in-kind.
- Rural Development, Rural Housing Service
- Community Facilities
Loans and Grants Program CFDA(10.766)offer loans and grants to construct, enlarge, extend, or otherwise improve community facilities providing essential services to rural residents for projects that will enhance public safety such as fire stations, fire trucks, and rescue vehicles.
U.S. Department of Energy
- Fire Protection Program This program includes published fire safety directives (Orders, standards, and guidance documents), a range of oversight activities, an annual fire protection program summary, and a directory of fire safety professionals. DOE also sponsors fire safety conferences, various training initiatives, and a spectrum of technical assistance activities.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security -
Assistance to Firefighters
Grant CFDA(97.044) provides direct assistance to fire departments of a State or tribal nation.
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Reimbursement for Firefighting on Federal Property (97.016) provides that
each fire service organization which engages in firefighting operations on
Federal property may be reimbursed for their direct expenses and direct
losses.
- State Fire Training Systems Grants
Provides financial assistance to State Fire Training Systems for the delivery of National Fire Academy courses/programs.
- The National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) is a cooperative asset-sharing program among Federal government agencies, state and local governments, and the private businesses and civilian volunteers to ensure resources are available to provide medical services following a disaster that overwhelms the local health care resources.
- FEMA Fire Prevention and Safety Grants "support projects that enhance the safety of the public and firefighters from fire and related hazards. The primary goal is to target high-risk populations and mitigate high incidences of death and injury."
U.S. Department of Interior
- Healthy Forests and Rangelands
An interagency program with the USDA, Forest Service, U.S. Department of the Interior and the National Association of State Foresters for wildland fire issues. Includes National Fire Plan projects.
- Bureau of Indian Affairs The Indian Community Fire Protection Program provides funds to perform fire protection services to Indian Tribal Governments that do not receive fire protection support from State or local government. Call (202) 208-3710
U.S. Department of Justice
U.S. Department of Transportation
- Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness Grant (HMEP) The HMEP grant program is intended to provide financial and technical assistance as well as national direction and guidance to enhance State, Territorial, Tribal, and local hazardous materials emergency planning and training
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- Local Governments Reimbursement Program This program provides Federal funds to local governments for costs related to temporary emergency measures conducted in response to releases or threatened releases of hazardous substances.
U.S. General Service Administration
- Federal Surplus Property Program - GSA transfers Federal surplus personal property to State agencies for surplus property. They in turn can distribute this surplus property to public agencies (such as local-level governmental agencies) which could include fire departments.
U.S. Housing and Urban Development
Private Funding Programs
Training Resources
Staff training is an important part of all fire department programs. There are many sources of information and training available to the rural fire department, including libraries, networks, courses, and more. Below are links to get started in or enhance a training program.
Financial Assistance
Information Resources
- Critical Infrastructure Protection Information Center The primary activity of the CIPIC is to disseminate information to bolster the infrastructure protection efforts of emergency first responders throughout the nation. This includes preparing CIP instructional materials for use in education and training settings.
- USFA Learning Resource Center (LRC) The LRC provides current information and resources on fire and emergency management subjects and supports student and faculty research and supplements classroom lectures and course materials.
Statistics and Data Resources
Additional Resources
Publications
USDA, Rural Information Center
National Agricultural Library
10301 Baltimore Ave., Room 132
Beltsville, MD 20705-2351
ric@ars.usda.gov
1-800-633-7701
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