Texas A&M Forest Service awarded $19.6 million to 518 rural volunteer fire departments statewide, the agency said. The money can be used to buy firefighting apparatus, fire and rescue equipment, protective clothing and other resources. The awards are the first funding round of fiscal year 2027 through the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program, which provides cost-share funding.
Merrie Noak, the agency's program leader, said volunteer fire departments are often the first to answer when an emergency happens. The agency said it aims to strengthen local responders by providing equipment and resources.
The agency said demand for the program routinely exceeds available funding. The 89th Texas Legislature appropriated $192 million in one-time additional funding to support outstanding requests. Applications that have not yet been funded will remain under consideration, and the next funding round is scheduled for March. The program also covers training tuition, volunteer recruitment resources, and repairs or replacement of equipment damaged after catastrophic events or declared disasters.