The Texas A&M Forest Service approved $29.3 million in grants in the fourth funding round of the year for Texas volunteer fire departments through the Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program.
In the 89th Texas Legislature, approximately $88 million was appropriated for the 2026 to 2027 fiscal biennium.
“With increased funding from the Legislature, we’ve been able to provide support to more volunteer fire departments than ever before,” Jason Keiningham, the Texas A&M Forest Service Capacity Building Department Head, said. “We’re proud to do everything in our power to help our partners in the fire service.”
In Lamb County, the Littlefield Fire Department and Sudan Fire and EMS received grants totaling $50,000.
The Littlefield Fire Department received $25,000 for personal protective equipment, and Sudan Fire and EMS received $25,000 for fire and rescue equipment.
Passed by the Texas Legislature in 2001, House Bill 2601 established the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program, which provides grants to rural volunteer fire departments for equipment and training.
In a historic investment from the 89th Texas Legislature to increase biennium funding and fund over $192 million for outstanding unfunded requests, the program has awarded a total of $225 million in the 2026 fiscal year thus far.