COLUMBUS, Ohio – More than $593,000 in state and federal grant funding is headed to rural fire departments across Ohio, including several in Ross and Hocking counties, through the Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) grant program administered by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry.
In total, 95 projects statewide were approved in the latest round of funding, aimed at helping departments improve wildfire response capabilities and purchase critical safety equipment.
“In addition to wildland fire training, this funding helps departments serving Ohio’s wildfire protection area enhance their equipment and operational readiness,” said Dan Balser, chief of the ODNR Division of Forestry. “Investing in local departments strengthens emergency response at the community level.”
Ross County Recipients
Three Ross County departments received grant funding:
- Twin Township Volunteer Fire Department (Bourneville) – $10,000 for a slip-in unit
- Franklin Township Fire and Rescue (Waverly) – $9,988.44 for slip-in units and personal protective equipment
- Colerain Township Volunteer Fire Department (Laurelville) – $7,308 for structure fire protective equipment
Hocking County Recipients
Two Hocking County departments were awarded grants:
- Murray City Fire Department – $10,000 for a UTV and slip-in unit
- Laurelville Volunteer Fire Department – $10,000 for structure fire tools and hose
The grants may cover up to 50% of a project’s total cost, with a maximum award of $10,000 per department. Eligible departments must be at least 80% volunteer and serve communities of fewer than 10,000 residents within Ohio’s wildfire protection area.
Funding can be used for items such as all-terrain vehicles, wildfire water tanks and pump units, protective gear, radios, hoses, and other operational tools.
Many rural departments operate with limited budgets, often prioritizing basic emergency services. The VFA program helps supplement those budgets, allowing departments to make essential equipment purchases that improve firefighter safety and wildfire suppression capabilities.
The program is funded through the U.S. Forest Service, with additional support from Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act dollars allocated to ODNR Forestry.
State officials say the funding strengthens Ohio’s wildfire preparedness while ensuring rural communities remain equipped to respond quickly to emergencies.
