The Division of Forestry works in cooperation with several other entities to provide grant opportunities for the purpose of protecting and enhancing the forest resources of Kentucky. Historically, grant funding has been available to Volunteer Fire Departments and communities for the purpose of wildland fire protection and to communities for the purpose of urban and community forestry projects. Scroll down for specific information about these grants.
Assistance to Volunteer Fire Departments
The Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) program, formerly known as the rural community fire protection program, provides training, grant funds and technical advice to rural fire departments in communities with a population of 10,000 persons or less. VFA grants are available on an annual basis and applications are generally available during the first quarter of the calendar year. Grant recipients are reimbursed for approved costs at the end of the grant cycle. Grant funds ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 are available through a 50/50 reimbursement system. Eligible equipment items that can be purchased with VFA grant funding include: Nomex clothing, pumps, hoses, tanks, fire shelters, small fire suppression equipment and personal protective equipment.
The grant cycle is now open for the 2011 Volunteer Fire Department grant cycle. To download the interactive application, click on the 2011 VFA Grant Interactive Application link. To view the PDF version complete with grant narrative and instructions, click on the 2011 VFA Grant Narrative and Instructions link. For a list of 2010 grant recipients, click VFA Grant Awards. For more information and assistance regarding the grants, contact Mike Harp, fire management program specialist, at 800-866-0555.
Federal Excess Personal Property (FEPP) Program
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The FEPP program provides low-cost fire protection equipment, tools and supplies to local fire departments for suppressing wildland fires in their area. Equipment including trucks, tankers, generators, tanks, fire hoses and turnout gear are available and must be used for fire protection purposes only.
FEPP is authorized through the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 (16 USC 2106) and is administered through the division. Legally chartered fire departments may qualify to receive FEPP upon agreement to: sign a memorandum of agreement with the division, respond to all calls within the department's coverage area, provide mutual aid to the division upon request, keep equipment painted, protected and in serviceable condition, acquire and maintain liability insurance for FEPP vehicles and return equipment to the division for proper disposal. For more information about FEPP equipment, fire departments should contact their local district office or their local county ranger technician.
Federal Grant Programs for Wildland Fire Mitigation
Additional listings of grant programs operated by various federal agencies in the area of wildfire mitigation may be viewed at Wildland Fire Support for Communities.
Kentucky Firewise Community Grants Program
The Firewise Community grants program provides funding to assist communities located in wildland/urban interface areas. The program is designed to reduce the risk of wildfire in these areas through fire mitigation activities, fostering closer working relationships between fire departments and communities and educating the public about the benefits of Firewise activities. During the grant cycle, which runs from Sept. 1 through June 30, grantees must complete project activities and submit receipts and documentation and provide a 20 percent match in order to receive reimbursement.
The division is currently accepting grant applications for the 2011 grant cycle. To view the complete grant narrative and instructions, click 2011 Firewise Grant Application. For a listing of recipients for the 2010 grant cycle, click Kentucky Firewise Grant Awards. For further information, contact Jennifer Turner, Firewise program coordinator, at 800-866-0555.
Urban and Community Grants
The Forestry Title of the 1990 Farm Bill included authorization for the America the Beautiful program, which has historically provided funding for the Kentucky Division of Forestry's Urban and Community Forestry Grant program. The division administers this program in cooperation with the Kentucky Urban Forestry Council for the purpose of encouraging and supporting long-term and sustained Urban and Community Forestry programs. Despite the unavailability of competitive grants at this time, we encourage communities to stay informed of other urban and community forestry grants.
Other community grants available at this time:
Bluegrass PRIDE Community Grants for 2012
Email Peter Barber or Sarah Gracey and request to be added to the Tree Line Newsletter list serve to stay apprised of other grant opportunities.