Several rural volunteer fire departments in the Texas Panhandle and South Plains are getting an equipment boost thanks to new funding that was green-lighted by the 89th Texas Legislature to bolster local efforts to mitigate wildfires and other emergencies.
On Oct. 14, the Texas A&M Forest Service approved $164 million through the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program to award 558 fire trucks, 321 slip-on units and other equipment needs to volunteer fire departments throughout the state, including nearly 60 departments in the region.
Established by HB 2604 in 2001, the program provides grants to rural volunteer fire departments for essential firefighting equipment and training and has awarded more than $500 million in grants throughout the years. This includes this week’s funding meeting, which marked the first phase in distributing more than $192 million to volunteer fire departments, following an appropriation approved by the 89th Texas Legislature funding requests submitted on or before Nov. 7, 2024, according to TAMFS.During the legislative session, the program was also appropriated around $88 million in base funding for the biennium (fiscal years 2026-27) to address ongoing needs for critical equipment at the local level.
Texas uses a tiered approach to wildfire response, with local fire departments and counties being the first on the scene, followed by state agency support.
“Texas fire departments are the front line of local response, and their equipment capacity is vital to response time and effectiveness,” said Al Davis, Texas A&M Forest Service Director. “This historic funding reflects the strong support of the Texas Legislature and governor. Their investment allows us to continue supporting and equipping firefighters who protect Texas’ lives and property.”Through this funding, local fire departments are able to increase their equipment capacity to respond to wildfires and a wide array of emergency incidents, including house fires and motor vehicle accidents. TAMFS said that additional funding for fire and rescue equipment, personal protective equipment, training aids and dry hydrants will be awarded over the coming months.
Texas fire departments are eligible to apply for grants and assistance through FireConnect, a Texas A&M Forest Service database that provides a streamlined grant portal. The public and all Texas fire agencies can view the comprehensive directory, which also serves as a portal for fire units to submit incident reports.
Recent local recipients include: