Seven volunteer fire departments in Nebraska have been awarded $10,000 grants as part of the Good Neighbor Firefighter Safety Program, a collaboration between State Farm and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC). The program, now in its second year, distributed a total of $1.5 million to 150 volunteer fire departments across 44 states.
The grants, announced today, Volunteer Firefighters Recognition Day, aim to help departments secure essential equipment to enhance safety and efficiency. The Nebraska recipients include the Belden, Niobrara, Oakdale, Pleasanton, Prague, Valentine and Wood River fire departments.
“The NVFC is proud to team up with State Farm to continue the Good Neighbor Firefighter Safety Program and provide critical assistance to volunteer fire departments. Firefighting and rescue equipment is expensive, and many departments struggle to find the funding they need. These grants from State Farm enable small departments to secure equipment they need to be better prepared to serve their communities and protect their responders,” said Steve Hirsch, NVFC Chair.
Rasheed Merritt, State Farm corporate responsibility assistant vice president, added, “We are proud to support volunteer firefighters โ the ultimate good neighbors who risk their lives daily. At State Farm, weโre committed to helping people manage everyday risks and building safer, stronger communities.”
