The Volunteer Fire Infrastructure & Response Equipment (V-FIRE) Grant Program is a reimbursement-based grant program that is managed by the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) and was created to enhance the security and safety of the citizens of New York State by providing critical funding to strengthen volunteer fire departments and districts.
Donor Name: NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services
State: New York
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant | Reimbursement
Deadline: 02/25/2026
Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000
Grant Duration: More than 10 Years
Details:
The purpose of this Request for Applications (RFA) is to solicit eligible applications in funding to support construction, renovation, or purchase costs of critical facilities (buildings, training facilities, etc.) that support fire operations, or up to $500,000 in funding to support the purchase of allowable fire service equipment to upgrade and improve their facilities and response capabilities. Funds will be awarded competitively, and distributed via reimbursement-based grant contracts, based on the review of applications submitted.
Funding Information
The $25,000,000 available in 2025-2026 State funding for this initiative will be divided into two tracks of eligible projects to maximize the benefits of the program funds. Eligible applicants may only select ONE of the following options for their grant applications:
- Construction/Renovation/Facility Purchase Projects: A total of $20,000,000 in program funds will be devoted to support Construction/Renovation/Facility Purchase projects and is available to all eligible applicants. The funding amount per application may not exceed $1,000,000 in projects requested.
- Equipment Projects: A total of $5,000,000 in program funds will be devoted to support allowable fire service equipment projects and is available to all eligible applicants. The funding amount per application may not exceed $500,000 in projects requested.
Eligibility Criteria
Only eligible entities that are located within the State of New York, who have not been previously funded through the V-FIRE Grant Program and serve one or more local governments may apply. All applications must articulate how they meet the eligibility requirements within their application.
Eligible organizations include:
- Volunteer Fire Companies that are comprised of 100% volunteer firefighters, that are responsible for providing fire protection services to one or more jurisdiction(s). These entities are required to submit the signed contract agreement with the town or village they are covering.
- Nonprofit Fire Companies are eligible to apply and are subject to Prequalification as identified below.
- Municipalities – Villages, Towns, Cities, and Fire Districts responsible for providing fire protection through a fire department comprised of 100% volunteer firefighter membership.
- Counties and Municipal Shared Services Applications: Counties may only apply on behalf of local volunteer fire departments that are comprised of 100% volunteer firefighter membership, provided the applying county has a minimum of 60% documented approval from the volunteer fire departments within the county that will directly benefit from the requested project(s). Requests for grant funds under a county application must be for shareable projects that will benefit and be accessible to the volunteer fire departments represented in the application. The applying County must complete and submit the Local Volunteer Fire Department Consent Form section of the Application Worksheet (“Consent Form” tab) and must include acknowledgement from fire chiefs of at least 60% of the fire protection agencies represented in the application.
- Two or more municipalities may apply for shared projects that will benefit and be accessible to two or more volunteer fire departments.
For more information, visit DHSES.
