Three Young County fire departments will receive a combined $90,000 in state grants for fire and rescue equipment, according to funding awards announced Oct. 23 by the Texas A&M Forest Service. The Graham Fire Department, Newcastle Fire Department and Salt Creek Rural Volunteer Fire Department in Graham each received $30,000 through the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program.
The Olney and Loving fire departments were not among the first-round recipients for fiscal year 2027. The Young County awards were part of about $19.6 million distributed to volunteer fire departments across Texas in the same funding round.
The program was established by the Texas Legislature in 2001 under House Bill 2604. It helps rural volunteer departments buy equipment and obtain training. Departments not approved in the first round will remain under consideration for future rounds. The next round is tentatively scheduled for March 26, 2027.