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Volunteer Firefighter Equipment and Training Grant Program (VFEAT) is sponsored by Tennessee State Fire Marshal's Office. The VFEAT program in Tennessee reimburses the local cost share of federally awarded grants for firefighting equipment and training, and allows volunteer fire departments to apply directly to the State Fire Marshal's Office for equipment.
It also includes the Volunteer Firefighter Vehicle Grant Program for matching funds on federal apparatus grants.
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Volunteer Firefighter Equipment and... — Tennessee Department of... Volunteer Firefighter Equipment and Training (VFEAT) Grant Program This program provides financial assistance to volunteer fire departments in Tennessee to enhance firefighter safety, improve emergency response capabilities, and acquire essential firefighting equipment and training.
The Volunteer Firefighter Equipment and Training (VFEAT) Grant Program is a state-funded initiative administered by the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI) and the Tennessee State Fire Marshal's Office (SFMO).
Established in 2019 and launched in 2020, the program provides financial assistance to volunteer fire departments across Tennessee to improve firefighter safety, emergency response capabilities, and access to essential firefighting equipment and training. Since its launch, the program has awarded $46. 5 million to volunteer fire departments serving communities throughout Tennessee's three Grand Divisions.
For fiscal year 2026-2027, the Tennessee General Assembly has allocated $20 million for firefighter equipment and training. An additional $1 million has been provided for matching funds associated with federally awarded grants for fire apparatus. The program addresses the financial challenges faced by volunteer fire departments, which represent more than 73 percent of Tennessee's fire departments.
The primary purpose of the VFEAT Grant Program is to strengthen the operational readiness and safety of Tennessee's volunteer firefighters by supporting the purchase of essential firefighting equipment and training. Eligible expenditures include equipment used to extinguish fires, protect firefighters, and support emergency response activities.
Examples of equipment previously supported by the program include firefighter helmets, protective gloves, and air packs. Regular VFEAT equipment funding does not cover fire trucks or other vehicles. However, the newly established $1 million fire apparatus matching fund allows eligible departments to cover the local matching portion of federal grants already awarded for fire apparatus.
VFEAT funds may also be applied toward the local cost-share portion of other federally awarded grants, provided applicants include the relevant federal grant award documentation with their applications. Eligible applicants must be fire departments holding valid recognition from the Tennessee State Fire Marshal's Office and maintaining a workforce composed of at least 51 percent volunteer firefighters.
This requirement applies to fire departments throughout Tennessee, including organizations that also operate as rescue squads. Rescue squads may qualify for VFEAT funding only when they are recognized by the SFMO as fire departments and satisfy the minimum volunteer staffing requirement.
Organizations holding current SFMO recognition as both a fire department and a rescue squad may apply for and potentially receive awards through both the VFEAT Grant Program and the separate Rescue Squad Grant Program. The program is intended for eligible Tennessee volunteer fire departments rather than individual firefighters.
The announcement does not specify minimum or maximum individual award amounts, the anticipated number of awards, or a mandatory applicant matching contribution for standard equipment and training requests. Applications for the 2027 VFEAT Grant Program opened on November 3, 2026, and must be submitted by December 4, 2026, at 2:00 p. m.
Central Standard Time. Applicants must access the application and program instructions through the SFMO Grant Opportunities webpage at https://www. tn.
gov/commerce/fire/departments/grant-opportunities. html. The webpage also provides information about application registration, a step-by-step registration guide, a blank W-9 form, and instructions for obtaining an Edison Supplier ID.
Applicants requesting equipment not already listed in the application budget may enter the items under the Other category in Budget Details and complete the required fields for each additional item. They must explain the priority of those items in the Scope of Service section of the Application Narrative and attach corresponding price quotes in the Additional Documents section under Supporting Documentation.
Departments requesting assistance with the local matching portion of a federal grant must include the federal grant award documents. Applicants who have already submitted an application and need to modify their budget may contact the program email address to request that the application be returned to draft status for revision and resubmission.
Applications received between November 3 and December 4, 2026, will undergo internal scoring before being submitted anonymously to a seven-member committee responsible for overseeing award selection. The committee includes three representatives from the Tennessee Fire Chiefs Association, three representatives from the Tennessee Firemen's Association, and the TDCI Assistant Commissioner of Fire Prevention.
Applicants should clearly describe their equipment needs, complete the required budget information, identify the priority of additional equipment requests, and provide supporting price quotes where required. The published announcement does not identify specific scoring weights, numerical evaluation criteria, or individual award allocation formulas.
The selection process includes both internal assessment and committee oversight, with awards expected to be announced in January 2027. An instructional application webinar was scheduled for November 3, 2026, at 6:00 p. m.
Central Time. A recording is expected to be made available on demand through the SFMO Grant Opportunities webpage after editing. Applicants seeking assistance may contact Loren Haynes, Director of Grants, at [email protected] or (615) 806-3725.
The application window closes on December 4, 2026, and award announcements are scheduled for January 2027. The announcement identifies fiscal year 2026-2027 funding but does not specify an individual grant performance period, reimbursement schedule, or expenditure completion deadline.
Although the program has operated since 2020 and received funding for multiple fiscal years, the source does not establish a guaranteed annual application schedule or an official opening date for a subsequent funding cycle. Not specified - Not specified FY 2026-2027 funding includes $20 million for firefighter equipment and training. Standard equipment funding excludes fire trucks and vehicles.
VFEAT funding may cover local cost-share obligations for previously awarded federal grants when federal award documentation is provided. Individual award minimums and maximums, number of awards, and performance period are not specified. Applicants must be Tennessee fire departments holding valid recognition from the Tennessee State Fire Marshal's Office and maintaining a workforce of at least 51% volunteer firefighters.
Rescue squads qualify only when recognized by SFMO as fire departments and meeting the same staffing threshold. Organizations recognized as both fire departments and rescue squads may apply for and potentially receive awards through both programs. Federal grant award documentation must accompany requests for local matching assistance.
Items entered under Other require completed budget fields, prioritization in the Scope of Service narrative, and supporting price quotes.
Verify current SFMO fire department recognition and at least 51% volunteer firefighter staffing before applying; Clearly prioritize equipment needs in the Scope of Service narrative; Complete required budget fields for Other items; Attach price quotes for every additional item; Include federal grant award documents when requesting matching assistance; Submit by December 4 2026 at 2:00 p. m.
CST; Contact SFMO to return an already submitted application to draft status if budget changes are needed Disaster Prevention and Relief Employment Labor and Training
According to the current listing, eligibility includes: Volunteer fire departments in Tennessee holding a valid recognition certificate from the SFMO, classified as a volunteer fire department in FDTN, and compliant with T.C.A. § 68-102-111 Fire Reporting Requirements. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
The current listing shows $20 million total for FY 2026-2027. Verify award ceilings, matching requirements, and allowable costs in the official notice.
Volunteer Firefighter Equipment and Training Grant Program (VFEAT) is funded by Tennessee State Fire Marshal's Office. Verify program details on the funder's official page before applying.
This opportunity targets applicants in Tennessee. If your organization operates elsewhere, check the official notice for location requirements.
Start from the official opportunity page linked in this listing — it carries the sponsor's submission instructions.
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