On July 13 the U.S. House of Representatives adopted an amendment increasing funding for the Volunteer Fire Assistance program from $13 million to $15 million.
The amendment was offered by Reps Jared Polis (D-Colo.), Peter King (R-N.Y.) and Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.) to the FY2017 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 5538).
The Volunteer Fire Assistance program, formerly known as the Rural Community Fire Protection Program, was initiated by the Cooperative Forestry Act of 1978. VFA is administered by the U.S. Forest Service. The program can provide federal financial, technical and other assistance to state foresters and other appropriate officials to organize, train and equip fire departments in rural areas and rural communities to suppress fires.
Funding is allocated to state foresters who distribute grants to local fire departments. Volunteer agencies protecting communities with populations of 10,000 or fewer residents are eligible to apply.