Fire Department Programs
We offer assistance programs and training opportunities for fire departments that build their capacity to protect life and property.
Assistance programs
Local firefighters are our first line of defense against disasters in Texas. We offer programs that enhance their emergency response capabilities.
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Our volunteer fire department assistance programs build the capacity of volunteer and small combination fire departments with 20 or fewer paid members.
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Our career fire department assistance programs build the capacity of career and large combination fire departments with 21 or more paid members.
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We provide nationally accredited wildfire and incident management training to local, state, and federal cooperators.
FireConnect
FireConnect is our online fire department directory, fire reporting system, and home of our fire department assistance programs.
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More than 200 emergency responders attended the 26th annual East Texas Wildfire and Incident Management Academy at Angelina College in Lufkin May 13-21, 2025, to grow their knowledge, skills and interagency coordination for combating wildfires and managing common complex, large-scale Texas disasters. The East Texas Interagency Wildfire and Incident Management Academy is held annually in […]May 21, 2025
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On March 5, 2025, Texas A&M Forest Service held the second of three funding meetings of fiscal year 2025 for the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program, awarding 94 grants totaling $2.1 million. Grants proposed at this meeting will assist VFDs across Texas in purchasing equipment such as dry hydrants, fire and rescue equipment, personal […]March 12, 2025
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On Tuesday, April 2, Texas A&M Forest Service held the second of three funding meetings of fiscal year 2024 for the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program, awarding 74 grants totaling approximately $1.3 million.April 4, 2024
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Texas A&M Forest Service awards $15.7 million in grants to volunteer fire departments COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Texas A&M Forest Service awarded 260 rural volunteer fire departments with more than $15.7 million in assistance grants last week through the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistant Grant Program.October 29, 2023
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October 4, 2023 25th Annual Wildfire Academy begins this week at Camp Swift BASTROP, Texas – The 25th annual Capital Area Interagency Wildfire and Incident Management Academy (CAIWA) begins at the Camp Swift National Guard Facility in Bastrop, Texas this week. The academy will take place Oct 6-18, 2022.October 3, 2023
