Volunteer Fire Assistance

2018 Waldens Creek VFD Training

VFA Program
The Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Division of Forestry will be accepting applications for the FY 2023 Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) Program beginning September 1st through October 14th, 2022. Fire departments that serve a population of less than 10,000 will be eligible to apply to receive a VFA Wildland Fire Suppression Kit for their department to supplement their wildland firefighting capacity. These kits will consist of wildland firefighting personal protective equipment (PPE) and tools valued at approximately $3,000 per kit.

Before participating in this program, a fire department must be legally organized and have a current Memorandum of Understanding with the Division of Forestry that is dated after June 30, 2017. If you do not have one, please contact the Assistant District Forester in your area.

Kits will be awarded in November 2023.

Wildland Fire Training for Fire Departments
Division of Forestry personnel also coordinate and facilitate wildland fire training for fire departments across the state of Tennessee. This training includes such topics as wildland fire behavior, wildland fire organizational structure, suppression tactics, leadership, cooperative fire mutual aid and wildland urban interface strategies.

Training materials and tools may also be provided to fire departments that participate in these training programs. This training is provided according to National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) position performance standards for wildland firefighting. To schedule wildland fire training for your department, please contact the Assistant District Forester in your area.

APPLY

**FY 2024 Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) Grant Schedule**
DATE	TASK
September 1 – October 13, 2023	Applications for wildland fire suppression kits accepted.
October 16 – November 3, 2023	Applications are reviewed and rated by Assistant District Foresters.
November 6, 2023	Applications with departments approved to receive wildland fire suppression kits are forwarded to the VFA Grant Program Administrator.
January 8, 2024	Departments are notified that they have been accepted to receive a wildland fire suppression kit. Supplies for Kits are ordered by the State Purchasing Specialist and shipped to districts. Arrangements are made with Departments to pick up kits once all materials have been received.
February 29, 2024	Distribution of Kits to departments complete.