Rural Fire Assistance Program
The Rural Fire Assistance (RFA) program provides assistance in training, equipment purchases, and prevention activities, on a cost share basis. The assistance is provided to increase firefighter safety, improve the fire fighting capabilities of rural volunteer fire departments, and enhance protection in the urban-wildland interface. The RFA program is available through agencies of the Department of the Interior. Department of Interior agencies are the National Park Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and Bureau of Land Management.
Eligibility and Documentation
For the RFA program only fire departments with a service area of less than 10,000 population and registered with the State Fire Marshall are eligible. For consideration departments are required to be current on past RFA grants. Funds granted under this program must be used for items specified in the application. Documentation of expenditures must be provided as specified in the specific grant award. Noncompliance with these conditions will result in disqualification from the RFA program until compliance is met. Documentation consists of copies of invoices, and copies (front and back) of canceled checks or warrants used to purchase the approved items.Guidelines and Application Process
Complete the combined Rural Fire Assistance (RFA) and Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) application (pdf). All fire departments qualifying for the grant are encouraged to apply. Completed applications will be accepted from now until March 15, 2004. Late applications will not be considered. All applications will be evaluated and considered for funding. Awards will be made to maximize the number of rural fire departments that will benefit from this program. If the total requested funding exceeds the available funding, the funding will be determined by item priority appropriate for each qualifying request. Departments must have appropriate matching funds available. Funds from another federal program cannot be used as matching for another program. Successful applicants can expect to be notified by the respective sponsoring State or Federal agency by May 15, 2004. Funds can be expected to be distributed by August of 2004.For additional information on the Rural Fire Assistance program visit the following web sites:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Rural Fire Assistance Program
Department of the Interior Rural Assistance Program (pdf)
