Two area volunteer fire departments benefit from a new grant program in Missouri.

The Bradleyville Rural Volunteer Fire Department in Taney County as well as the Gainesville Volunteer Fire Department in Ozark County are among the 48 departments to benefit from around the state. 

The release below is from the Missouri Department of Public Safety:

The Department of Public Safety has notified the first 48 volunteer fire departments of their approval for up to $15,000 in state equipment grants. In October, DPS announced the first-ever Missouri Volunteer Fire Department Grant was available for small departments – with annual operating budgets of $50,000 or less – for the purchase of firefighting equipment. There is a 5% local cash match, which means for equipment costing $15,789.47, the local match share would be $789.47 and the state share of 95% would be $15,000.

For the initial grant recipients, the top requested equipment includes radios, hoses and nozzles, firefighter turnout gear, extrication equipment, and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).

Additional departments that have applied for the grant will receive notifications once their documentation is complete. Funding is still available for awards to additional small volunteer fire departments, which are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

“This grant was designed specifically to assist small volunteer fire departments that play a vitally important role in protecting lives and property in many rural areas of the state,” DPS Director Mark James said. “We encourage other all-volunteer departments to consider applying for the grant. Our DPS Grants Unit is standing by to assist.”  

Applications must be made through the Missouri Department of Public Safety online WebGrants System, which is available here.

A total of $1,455,000 in state funding was made available for the program. The projected performance period for the grant is Dec. 15, 2025 to May 15, 2026. This funding opportunity will close when eligible applications have been received to fulfill the available funding.

Eligible applicants include fire departments as defined in Section 320.200(3) RSMo as an agency or organization that provides fire suppression and related activities, including, but not limited to, fire prevention, rescue, emergency medical services, hazardous material response, or special operation to a population within a fixed and legally recorded geographical area.