The V-FIRE grants will support 65 volunteer fire departments and districts with building upgrades, equipment and safety improvements.
Volunteer fire department grants totaling $25 million are going to 65 agencies across New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced. The capital funding is intended to improve fire stations, response equipment and working conditions for volunteer first responders.
The awards come through the Volunteer Fire Infrastructure & Response Equipment Grant Program, known as V-FIRE. The New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services administers the program.
What the $25 million can fund
Volunteer departments often operate with limited tax bases and fundraising income while facing the same safety demands as larger agencies. State officials said eligible projects focus on facilities, equipment and responder health.
- Construction or renovation of fire stations
- Upgrades to classrooms, meeting areas and training centers
- Exhaust-removal and decontamination systems
- Personal protective equipment
- PPE washers and dryers
- Firefighter rehabilitation and response equipment
These investments can reduce firefighters’ exposure to smoke residue and other contaminants after calls. They can also help departments replace outdated gear and bring aging buildings closer to current standards.
Why volunteer departments need capital support
Volunteer firefighters protect large parts of rural and suburban New York. Yet many departments must balance emergency readiness with the cost of maintaining buildings, vehicles and protective gear.
State grants do not replace local funding, and not every applicant receives an award. But capital aid can allow a department to complete a project that would otherwise require years of fundraising or borrowing.
“Volunteer firefighters exemplify the best of public servants,” Hochul said in describing the state’s support for the program. The governor’s office said the goal is to improve facilities, response capabilities and responder safety.
How the program selects projects
Applications are reviewed competitively by the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services. In the program’s earlier award round, evaluators considered whether applications were complete and timely, along with factors such as a department’s annual operating budget. Smaller-budget departments received priority.
The 2026 announcement identifies 65 fire departments and districts receiving awards. Readers should consult the state’s official award list for the exact recipient, project and grant amount in their community.
Local questions worth asking
- Which departments in Central New York received awards?
- What project will each grant fund?
- Does the project include a local matching requirement?
- When will construction or equipment purchasing begin?
- How will the investment improve response time or firefighter safety?
Central New York impact
Fire service in the Mohawk Valley depends heavily on volunteers. Departments respond not only to structure fires, but also to crashes, medical emergencies, severe weather and mutual-aid calls that cross municipal lines.
That regional role makes infrastructure important. A modern training space can serve several departments. Decontamination equipment can reduce health risks after a fire. Updated protective equipment can improve safety during dangerous calls.
The grants also highlight a continuing challenge: equipment and building costs rise even as many volunteer agencies work to recruit and retain members. Capital funding addresses one side of that problem, but departments still need people willing to train, respond and serve.
What happens next
Award recipients must complete state contracting and procurement steps before money is spent. Timelines will vary based on whether a project involves equipment purchases, renovation or new construction.
Residents can review the official award list and contact their local department or municipal board for project details. Communities can also support volunteer agencies by attending recruitment events, learning about membership requirements and following local budget discussions.
The $25 million round is a significant statewide investment. Its value will ultimately be measured in safer facilities, dependable equipment and stronger emergency response for the communities served by the 65 recipients.
