The Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) provide assistance in training, equipment purchases, and prevention activities, on a cost share basis. The assistance is provided to increase firefighter safety, improve the fire fighting capabilities of rural volunteer fire departments, and enhance protection in the urban-wildland interface.
In Illinois, eligible expenses for the VFA Grant Program include:
- Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)
- Protective clothing
- Training and necessary equipment
- Installation of Dry Hydrants to improve water supplies for fire suppression
- Communication equipment
- New motorized vehicle, such as ATV
- Used fire truck or other used motorized vehicles
- Skid or slide in units
- Conversion of Federal Excess Personal Property vehicles to water tenders and engines
- Implementation of Class A foam technology to improve the fire suppression effectiveness of water
In FY 2018, special consideration will be given to applications that include:
- For initial conversion of federal excess trucks into support or attack vehicle
- Fire agencies protecting groups with special legal considerations
- Improved fire protection to public lands and their facilities
- Improved fire protection wildland/urban interface areas
- Improved fire protection in the geographical areas of greatest need
- For agencies who have suffered a loss of over 50% of the asset value (not including real estate values) of their Fire agency's equipment which was not covered by insurance
- Purchase and installation of acceptable communications equipment
- Purchase and installation of dry hydrants
- Fire agencies with multiple mutual aid agreements