The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Forest Service has provided Volunteer Fire Assistance grants to 55 fire departments across 18 counties this year to enhance fire protection services in rural areas.
The grants aim to support local fire departments in responding to wildland fires and protecting communities located in less densely populated regions.
In 2024, 64 departments across the state applied for funding, seeking support for projects worth a combined $403,686.
The Forest Service awarded a total of $159,234 in matching funds to cover 49% of the requested amount, enabling these departments to complete projects with a statewide cost of $331,551.
Each department was eligible to receive up to $3,500 in grant funding, with federal assistance provided by the USDA Forest Service.
According to the Department of Natural Resources, the funded projects ranged across counties, with grants distributed based on specific needs and project costs in each area.
In Allegany County, for example, Baltimore Pike Volunteer Fire Company received the maximum grant of $3,500 to support a $7,458 project.
Other departments in Allegany County, including Corriganville and Ellerslie, also received substantial grants for their fire protection efforts.
In Baltimore County, Arbutus Volunteer Fire Department received $3,100 to fund a $6,200 project.
Cecil County’s North East Fire Company received $3,263 for a project costing $6,525.
These funds help rural fire companies address challenges in wildland fire management and maintain their readiness to respond to emergencies in their communities.
This year’s funding covers a diverse range of projects, providing volunteer fire departments with resources to enhance their capacity to combat wildfires.
In Dorchester County, several fire companies, including East New Market and Hurlock Volunteer Fire Company, received grants between $3,033 and $3,500 for various projects.
Washington County also saw significant support, with Williamsport Volunteer Fire and Emergency Medical Services receiving $2,975 for a $5,950 project.
These funds are intended to help departments maintain equipment, train personnel, and cover costs associated with emergency services in rural Maryland, where fire departments rely on volunteer support and limited budgets to serve expansive, less populated areas.
The USDA Forest Service provides the federal portion of the Volunteer Fire Assistance grants, a critical source of support that Maryland’s rural fire departments depend on for additional resources.
The match funding model helps fire companies stretch their resources to address fire hazards effectively.
Other counties benefiting from the program include Garrett, Harford, and Wicomico, where departments like Hebron Volunteer Fire Department received nearly $2,900 to help fund a $5,750 project.
Maryland Line Volunteer Fire Company, located in Baltimore County, received a smaller award of $450, which fully funded half of its project cost.
This flexible approach to matching funds allows a broad range of departments, regardless of size, to benefit from the program.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Forest Service awarded Volunteer Fire Assistance grants totaling $159,234 to 55 volunteer fire departments across 18 counties this year.
These funds assist rural fire departments in projects designed to improve wildland fire protection.
Grants are provided with support from the USDA Forest Service, allowing each department to receive up to $3,500 in match funding for projects that collectively amount to $331,551.
The counties receiving funding include Allegany, Baltimore, Caroline, Carroll, Cecil, Charles, Dorchester, Garrett, Harford, Kent, Queen Anne’s, St.
Mary’s, Washington, Wicomico, and Worcester.
The program supports Maryland’s commitment to equipping rural volunteer fire departments with resources to protect against wildland fires effectively and maintain safety in less densely populated areas across the state.
