Fire departments around the state will be better equipped to help suppress both structure and wildland fires thanks to Volunteer Fire Capacity grants from the Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection (DOF).
“Rural fire departments across Alaska are on the front lines of wildland firefighting, providing essential support in our shared mission to protect lives, property, and natural resources,” said DOF’s Deputy Director of Fire Protection, Norm McDonald. “After another season of significant fire activity, it is clear these grants are more than just funding—they are an investment in the resilience of our communities and the strength of our partnerships.”
DOF recently awarded more than $300,000 to 33 rural Alaskan fire departments to improve firefighting capabilities and enhance protection in the wildland-urban interface. This year, the annual award cap reached $10,000, a substantial increase that underscores a commitment to addressing the urgent need for resources in rural firefighting.
The funds come from the USDA Forest Service to state DOF each year as part of the federal Volunteer Fire Capacity (VFC) program. DOF distributes the money to rural volunteer fire departments that apply for the annual grants. To qualify for the grants, fire departments must serve a population of 10,000 or less, be a registered fire department with the Alaska Division of Fire & Life Safety and provide a minimum of 10 percent non-federal matching funds.
Nearly all of the fire departments that received grants have cooperating agreements with DOF to assist help suppress wildfires in their service areas. The goal of the grant program is to increase firefighter safety, improve the firefighting capabilities of rural volunteer fire departments, and enhance protection in the wildland urban interface.
One of the departments receiving funding this year, Chena-Goldstream Fire and Rescue, will use the grant to support advanced training programs for its firefighters. The department sent members to training sessions in the lower 48 to become certified trainers for Single Resource Bosses, enabling them to conduct future trainings in-house. “The funds have a significant impact on our ability to serve the Goldstream Valley and Chena Ridge,” said Chief Bracken. “They make us more versatile and allow us to play a greater role in interagency responses, like during the Shovel Creek Fire, where our Murphy Dome station served as the main water source. The grant helps us prepare with proper PPE, training, and equipment to better protect the communities we serve.”
The Seward Volunteer Fire Department also relies on the VFC grants to update critical firefighting tools and gear. “Last year, the department received funding that allowed them to update all their wildland firefighting personal protective clothing, replacing worn and damaged gear with a fully restocked supply of properly sized shirts and pants” said Deputy Chief Katherine McCoy, “This year, the department applied for funding to purchase new chainsaws. The new chainsaws would replace older models on emergency response vehicles, providing firefighters with more versatile and reliable tools during emergencies.”
These grants empower rural fire departments to enhance their capabilities, strengthen interagency collaboration, and ensure the safety of both firefighters and the communities they serve.
Categories: AK Fire Info, Alaska DNR - Division of Forestry (DOF), Grants
Alaska Wildland Fire Information 