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Rural Fire Assistance Program (RFA)
The Rural Fire Assistance Program is a Department of the Interior program to enhance firefighter safety and strengthen fire protection capabilities. Safe and effective fire suppression in the wildland urban interface demands close coordination among local, state, tribal, and federal firefighting resources. Funding will be used to provide technical assistance, training, supplies, equipment and public education support to rural fire departments.
Criteria for Project Selection
The following criteria will determine suitable Rural Fire Assistance projects:
A statewide agreement exists with the State Forester, who maintains cooperative fire agreements with the Rural Fire Departments (RFD) and Volunteer Fire Departments (VFD), or a cooperative fire agreement is in effect with a Department of the Interior bureau.
The rural fire department serves a community with a population of 10,000 or less in the wildland urban interface.
The funding request is limited to training, equipment, and prevention activities.
The Rural Fire Department has the capability to meet cost-share at a minimum of 10%, which may include in-kind services.
In prioritizing fund allocation among Rural Fire Departments, agency evaluators will:
Determine each department's frequency of responses to wildland urban fire incidents in the local area and evaluate these frequencies against other applicants.
Evaluate the department's wildland fire prevention and education program needs relative to other applicants.
Evaluate the department's training program needs relative to other applicants.
Evaluate the community's and DOI's values to be protected relative to other applicants.
Evaluate the percentage of wildland urban area relative to other applicants.
Determine the number of wildland fire engines in the department relative to the percentage of wildland urban interface acres protected.
Program Administration
To ensure consistency and compatibility with existing rural fire assistance programs, Interior bureaus will work with state foresters. A maximum allowable contribution from the Department of the Interior per Rural Fire Department per year is established at $20,000.
To apply for VFA / RFA funds:
Review the criteria (items 1 through 3 on the VFA page) to make sure you qualify. Go to the Forms page and get the VFA/RFA Application. Complete a project application form, and return one copy to the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation In Missoula. The mailing address is in the application.
