Fire Protection
Arkansas Economic Development Commission, Division of Rural Services
Rural Services Block Grant - Eligible to communities of less than 3,000 in population with at least a 51% Low to Moderate income range.Maximum $75,000 with 10% match. Eligible projects include renovation or new construction of community centers, fire station buildings, or multi-purpose centers, or the purchase of firefighting vehicles, specialized life-saving equipment such as the “jaws of life” and protective clothing worn by fire fighters. Visit www.RuralServices.Arkansas.gov for an application and to look up a community’s Low to Moderate income range or contact the DRS Block Grant Coordinator at 1-888-RURALAR.
Fire Protection Grant - Funds projects for communities with population less than 3,000. Maximum of $15,000 with 50% match. Eligible projects include, but are not limited to, construction or renovation of fire stations, additional bays for existing stations, purchase of turn-out gear, communications equipment, fire trucks, SCBA's, and extrication equipment. Visit www.RuralServices.Arkansas.gov for an application or contact the DRS RCGP Coordinator at 1-888-RURALAR.
Arkansas Association of Resource Conservation & Development Councils
Grants for water supply and delivery items, communication and ISO compliant equipment.
Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Program – Grant to help recruit and retain volunteer firefighters.
Provides mailing service to send out notices of dues. They will cover the cost of printing statements at a minimal cost. Contact Charles Gangluff at 501-354-7900.
Arkansas Department of Health
Funding available for certain fire-related items. Contact Bettie Watts at (501) 280-4776.
Arkansas Forestry Commission
Up to $15,000 per applicant interest-free loans for fire trucks and equipment.
Volunteer Fire Assistance - grants to volunteer fire departments with funds used to buy tools, small equipment, and safety gear. Up to $1,000.
Provides Federal Excess equipment and vehicles free of charge to fire departments on a 50 year no cost lease based upon request forms.
Provides 4-hour Wildland Fire Suppression Training Course to firemen statewide.
Contact John Blackburn at 501-679-3183 or visit www.forestry.state.ar.us/. Click on ‘Rural Fire Protection’ and then ‘Agencies that Provide Assistance’.
Arkansas FireWise Recognition Program- awards federal grant money to fire departments for mitigation projects. For more information, visit www.arkansasfirewise.com, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or by phone at (501) 296-1940.
Arkansas Department of Emergency Management
Arkansas Hazard Mitigation Program – Helps fund permanent repair solutions to sites that have had repetitive damage from natural causes such as flooding, wind or earthquakes. Cap on projects - $150,000.00 - 50% state - 50% local.
State Homeland Security Grant Program - designed to address the Homeland Security and response capabilities in Arkansas by providing specific equipment and training to first responders and state agencies based on the needs and vulnerabilities of the state.
Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) - reimburses certain eligible expenses, under program guidelines, to support state and local emergency management costs. Requires 50% non-federal match.
Act 833 money - Act 833 funds are to be used for training, fire fighting equipment, and initial capital construction or improvements of fire departments. Contact Kendell Snyder ADEM Fire Services Coordinator. ADEM’s phone number is 501-683-6700, and their website is www.adem.arkansas.gov
USDA Rural Development
Our mission is to help develop and sustain rural Arkansas' diversified, rapidly changing society by working in partnership with people and communities, and to assist them in improving their quality of life through financial and technical assistance. We accomplish this by helping with a wide range of projects that include Community Facility, Water and Wastewater, Business and Industry, and Housing. Visit our website at www.rd.usda.gov/ar to get an overview of the Programs offered and the associated grants, loans, and loan guarantees available and to locate the contact information of the Rural Development Area Office serving the County in which you are located.
Fireman’s Fund Heritage Program
Awards grants to fund programs and equipment to fire departments of all sizes across the country.
Contact (866)440-8716, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) – Provides grants to obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training, and other resources needed to protect the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards.
Fire Prevention and Safety Grants (FP&S) - Support projects that enhance the safety of the public and firefighters from fire and related hazards. Examples of the types of projects supported by FP&S include fire prevention and public safety education campaigns, juvenile firesetter interventions, media campaigns, and arson prevention and awareness programs.
Information on each of these programs is located at http://www.firegrantsupport.com/. You can also email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 1-866-274-0960.
State of Arkansas Federal Surplus Property
Provides at a small cost Federal Surplus vehicles and equipment including trucks, desks, protective equipment, hose, generators, compressors, chairs, etc., to fire departments or other government entities. Visit http://dwe.arkansas.gov/FSP.htm or call 501-835-3111.