The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation has opened its Vermont Wildland Fire Gear Grant program for applications.
New for 2025, towns/departments awarded funds through this program will purchase their own gear and equipment and submit receipts for reimbursement. This process will allow for greater flexibility to purchase a wide range of wildland firefighting gear and equipment and allow towns/departments to select vendors and work with them directly from ordering to receiving.
The application must be signed by an authorized representative of the fire department/municipality. The Grant Agreement must be signed by an authorized representative with legal signing authority for the organization to be reimbursed.
What This Program Funds
This program provides financial assistance to equip fire departments in rural areas and rural communities to prevent and suppress fires.
The maximum amount of grant funds awarded per applicant is $3,000. Cash match of 50% or greater is required. No single item may cost more than $9,999.
How Your Community Applies
Applicants MUST use the online application and provide additional documentation. The application deadline is November 3, 2025.
Make Your Community’s Application Competitive
- Eligible applicants:
- Fire Departments must be 80% or more volunteer.
- The Department must serve a rural area or a rural community (combined service area) with a population of 10,000 people or less. or have a population greater than 10,000 while providing fire protection to an adjoining rural community with a population of 10,000 or less.
- Towns with populations under 10,000 people whose fire department is located in another state.
- Priority will be given to requests of:
1. Wildland fire personal protective equipment
2. Wildland fire pumps
3. Hand tools
4. Wildland fire hose
5. Forestry Nozzles and Appliances
6. Other equipment
Where You Can Learn More
For questions or assistance, visit FPR.Vermont.gov/Wildland or contact Outreach Coordinator Catherine Todd at 802-585-6759 or catherine.todd@vermont.gov.
Find Grant Writing or Grant/Project Management Help
VLCT published a resource, Increasing Municipal Capacity for Grants, that offers ideas for assistance with grants. Many of the capacity builders also provide project management services. Hiring experienced project management assistance can increase the speed of project development and help avoid cost, permitting, and other development surprises.