The Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) program, formerly known as the rural community fire protection program, is designed to establish and enhance fire protection in communities with a population of 10,000 persons or less.

The Division of Forestry provides training, grant funds and technical advice to rural fire departments.

2008 Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant Program

***Please note: The deadline for submitting a grant application for 2008 funding is June 16, 2008.

The objective of the program is to improve the capability and effectiveness of Kentucky's rural volunteer fire departments to protect lives and property.

Grant funding ranging from a minimum of $1,000 to a maximum of $5,000 is available through a 50/50 reimbursement system. Eligible equipment items that can be purchased with VFA grant funding includes: Nomex clothing, pump hoses, tanks, fire shelters, small fire suppression equipment and personal protective equipment.

For more information and a copy of the grant application and guidelines click on the following link.

2008 Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant Guidelines and Application

For more information and assistance contact Michael Harp, fire management program specialist, at 800-866-0555.

In 2007, $229,408 was awarded to 77 fire departments statewide.

Click on the following link to see a list of fire departments that received grant funding for 2007. 
2007 Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant Recipients 

Grant funds are used to purchase and distribute to fire departments fire suppression equipment such as rakes, backpack blowers, backpack pumps and swatters.

Since 1994, the Division of Forestry has purchased almost $250,000 worth of fire suppression equipment and distributed it to over 500 fire departments. To request training assistance or fire suppression equipment, fire departments should contact their local Kentucky Division of Forestry district office or their local county ranger technicians.

NASF Fire Department Survey

In June 2005, the Kentucky Division of Forestry in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters conducted a survey of volunteer fire departments across the state in order to identify needs of these departments. Over 700 fire departments participated in the survey and the results are being used to identify major areas of concern by the fire departments. 

NASF Fire Department Survey results

Firefighter Training

Training courses offered include the S-130 and S-190 courses, which are wildland fire courses certified by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group. Computer simulator fire training using a computer-generated realistic wildland fire is also offered. It allows fire fighters to test their fire suppression skills and knowledge.