Area volunteer fire departments receive funding from Texas A&M Forest Service
COLLEGE STATION — 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.
In the fourth funding round of the year, the program awarded 531 grants addressing vol- unteer fire department requests for personal protective equipment, slip- on units, fire and rescue equipment, water tenders, small brush trucks and training aids.
Texas A&M Forest Service has administered the grant program under the Texas Legislature since 2002. Recogniz- ing Texas volunteer fire department’s critical ongoing needs for vehicles, equipment, safety gear and training, the 89th Texas Legislature appropriated approximately $88 million in funding for the biennium (fis cal years 2026-27)—the most ever allocated—to keep up with annual demand.
Texas uses a tiered approach to wildfire re sponse, establishing lo- cal 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 staff, safe and equipped firefighters.
“With increased funding from the Legislature, we’ve been able to provide support to more vol- unteer fire departments than ever before,” said Jason Keiningham, Texas A&M Forest Service Capacity Building Department Head. “We’re proud to do everything in our power to help our part- ners in the fire service."
Thanks to a historic investment by the 89th Texas Legislature to increase biennium funding and fund over $192 million for outstanding unfunded requests, the program has awarded a total of $225 million in fiscal year 2026 thus far.
Texas fire depart ments can access critical resources through Fire-Connect, a modernized, centralized database managed by Texas A&M Forest Service. Designed to enhance operational and administrative effectiveness, FireConnect serves as a streamlined portal where departments can apply for state- and federally funded grants and assistance.
Beyond financial sup port, the platform acts as a statewide directory for public and interagency use, offering a portal for incident reporting and a searchable equipment database.
This new feature can help agencies during complex, fast-moving emergencies rapidly identify and secure the mutual aid equipment needed to protect Texas communities.
Volunteer fire depart ments in the Austin, Colorado and Fayette Counties that received funding are:
Bellville VFD — $250k for fire and rescue equip ment Eagle Lake VFD — $300k for a water tender.
Flatonia Fire and Rescue — $25k for fire and res -
cue equipment.
Frelsburg VFD — $25k for fire and rescue equipment.
Rock Island VFD — $10k for training aids.
Round Top-Warrenton VFD — $165k for a small brush truck.
Schulenburg VFD — $25k for personal protective equipment.
Shelby VF — $10k for training aids.
