OVERVIEW

Visit the Overview Description about the Volunteer Fire Assistance Award Program.

KEY POINTS TO REMEMBER

• Incomplete applications will not be considered. All requested information must be provided.
• Applicant Must be North Carolina Fire Department.
• Applications will not be received after 5:00pm on Tuesday, October 31, 2023.
• No single item may have a value of $5,000.00 or more.
• Items may not be purchased before approval of application.
• Each 40 Hours per week scheduled for part- time employees counts as one paid personnel.
• Purchase Documentation must be received no later than Sunday, March 31, 2024.
• Documentation will be emailed to NCFS_vfa_grant@ncagr.gov.
• NEW A current year State of NC Substitute W-9 Form with signature (see PDF) is required with all reimbursement requests. The Federal W-9 Form is no longer accepted.
• PLEASE VERIFY EMAIL AND PHONE NUMBER SUBMITTED as this is our only means to conduct grant correspondance.

AUTHORIZED USE OF FUNDS

• Equipping wildland engines (tanks, pumps, hose up to 3”, hose reels, fittings, nozzles, etc.)
• Wildland PPE (Fire pants/shirts, gloves, brush jackets, nomex jumpsuits, hardhats, safety glasses, hearing protection, etc.) Note: All wildland PPE purchased must meet NFPA 1977 Standards.
• Wildland Fire Tools (fire rakes, shovels, combination tools, Pulaski’s, backpack pumps, chainsaws, leaf blowers, etc.)
• Communications Equipment (radios, pagers, and accessories)

AWARD AMOUNTS

The maximum amount of funds awarded to any fire department shall not exceed $5,000.00.

ITEM ELIGIBILITY

FEDMALL (GSA) Purchases will not be allowed. All purchases must be made from the open market.

ITEMS NOT AUTHORIZED INCLUDE: (but are not limited to) drones, laptops or tablets, drop tanks, structural turnout gear, drip torches, Emergency Medical Equipment, or any other item not used in the suppression of or protection from wildland fire. If items are not listed above and you have questions please contact the grant program via email at: NCFS_vfa_grant@ncagr.gov

Eligibility Requirements

In order for a Fire Department to be considered for this grant the following must be met.

• A single fire department serving a rural area or a rural community with a population of 10,000 or less is eligible (latest Census).
• Area fire departments (fire districts, townships, etc.) may serve an aggregate population of greater than 10,000 as long as the service area of the fire department includes a rural area or a rural community having a population of 10,000 or less. The VFA funding must be used to benefit the rural population.
• A single county or town with a population over 10,000 which is served by two or more fire districts operating entirely within the bounds of the county or town may qualify as long as the service area of a given fire department includes a rural area or a rural community or the population of the fire department's jurisdiction is 10,000 or less. The VFA funding must be used for the rural area.
• A single community with a population greater than 10,000 and having a single fire department with one or more fire stations may qualify. The fire department must have a service area that includes a rural area or community that does not exceed 10,000 population. The VFA funding must be used only for the benefit of the rural population. Similarly, a single community with a population greater than 10,000, which also provide fire protection to an adjoining rural community of 10,000 or less population by contract, may also be eligible provided the VFA funding is used entirely to support the rural community.
• A single community fire department serving a population greater than 10,000 and not providing protection to a rural area or to a rural community is not eligible for VFA financial assistance.
• Fire Departments must be National Incident Management System (NIMS) compliant

Purchase Documentation

Awards will be announced Early November 2023.

Departments are encouraged to purchase items through the open market once they are notified of grant approval. The following requirements must be met before NCFS will reimburse your 50% portion:

• Vendor must be paid in full by your department for the items purchased.
• A copy of the itemized invoice and a copy of the cancelled check (that has cleared the bank) or credit card statement must be submitted to NCFS by the close of business on Sunday, March 31, 2024 to the program email NCFS_vfa_grant@ncagr.gov. If you do not receive your cancelled checks you should request a copy from your bank or submit a copy of your bank statement showing the transaction. Payment to vendor must match exactly the amount of invoice. Only invoices made out in the name of the fire department can be accepted. Invoices made out to individuals are not acceptable. Personal credit card or personal check payments made to vendors cannot be accepted by NCFS for reimbursement. Only documentation in the name of the fire department can be accepted. A copy of a check which has not been processed (cancelled) by bank is not sufficient proof of payment. Failure to return this information by the deadline may forfeit your funds.
• Items purchased that are not approved per the guidelines of this program will forfeit your funds.
• NCFS will mail a check to you for the 50% share of the funds once all documentation has been approved.