Tennessee Opens $20M Grant Window for Volunteer Firefighters

Tennessee Encourages Volunteer Fire Departments to Apply for Equipment and Training Grants

As volunteer fire departments across Tennessee continue to respond to emergencies with limited resources, the state is opening the door to a major funding opportunity designed to strengthen local readiness and protect firefighter safety. With the application window closing at 3 p.m. EST on Dec. 4, State Rep. Timothy Hill is urging all eligible departments to take advantage of the Volunteer Firefighter Equipment and Training (VFEAT) grant program before time runs out.

This effort is backed by a significant investment from state leaders, who appropriated $20 million in the 2025–26 budget to help address long-standing equipment and training deficiencies facing volunteer crews. For many communities, these departments aren’t just helpful—they’re essential.

A Lifeline for Departments That Rely on Volunteers

Volunteer fire departments are often the first to respond to house fires, crashes, and natural disasters in Tennessee’s rural and small-town areas. Yet their budgets rarely match the size of their responsibilities. Many rely on local fundraisers, borrowed equipment, and the personal dedication of volunteers who step away from their day jobs when the siren sounds.

Recognizing this reality, lawmakers created the VFEAT program to give these departments a financial boost that can directly improve safety and response capabilities. Hill said the program is long overdue support for those who serve their neighbors with limited means.

“Our local volunteer fire departments work tirelessly to protect our communities but equipment and training needs can stretch already limited budgets,” Hill said. “I’m thankful that we are able to provide this kind of support and I highly encourage every eligible department to apply for this grant opportunity.”

Who the Program Helps—and Why It Matters

The VFEAT grant program is tailored specifically for volunteer departments rather than mixed or career-heavy agencies. To qualify, a department must hold a valid recognition certificate from the State Fire Marshal’s Office and must have a workforce composed of less than 51 percent full-time firefighters.

This focus ensures the funding reaches organizations that rely primarily on volunteers—agencies that often face the steepest budget pressures and have the most difficulty upgrading protective gear, replacing worn-out equipment, or sending their firefighters to advanced training courses.

What the Funding Covers

While the VFEAT program is flexible, it’s designed to support the essential tools and training that directly impact firefighter safety. Departments may use the funding to purchase equipment needed to contain or extinguish fires and to protect firefighters in the field—gear such as protective clothing, safety equipment, rescue tools, and other mission-critical items.

The one major restriction: the grants cannot be used to purchase fire trucks or other vehicles. By design, the available funds are intended for improvements that have a more immediate and widespread benefit for volunteers on the front lines.

Training support is also a key component. Departments can use grant dollars to ensure their volunteers stay up to date on best practices, new techniques, and professional certifications—an important investment as emergency response standards continue to evolve.

How to Apply Before the Deadline

With only a short window left before applications close, departments are encouraged to review the State Fire Marshal’s Office website, which includes the VFEAT application and a step-by-step registration guide to make the process easier. A W-9 form is also provided for departments preparing financial documentation.

For any questions along the way, departments can reach out directly to Loren Haynes, Director of Grants, at [email protected].

Hill said he hopes every eligible department submits an application before the deadline so their firefighters have the tools and training they need to stay safe.