Volunteer Fire Capacity (VFC) Grant Program

The Volunteer Fire Capacity (VFC) Grant Program, managed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Forest Resources Division (FRD), assists rural fire departments in acquiring firefighting equipment. The program requires a 50/50 matching grant and is available to fire departments serving communities with populations of 10,000 or less. Eligible projects include personal protection gear for wildland fires, Class A foam generating equipment, dry hydrants, communications equipment, and breathing apparatus. Applications are reviewed and prioritized by the FRD, with awards capped at $4,999 per project. Projects involving multiple departments are considered on a case-by-case basis. Applications must be submitted by June 28, 2024, with awards announced around December 15, 2024. Projects must be completed by August 1, 2025.