The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Forest Service is providing Volunteer Fire Assistance grants to 55 volunteer fire departments in 17
counties across the state.
The funded projects help volunteer fire companies enhance wildland fire protection in rural communities. For the 2025 grant cycle, finalized in December, the Maryland Forest Service is providing $167,314 in match funding to complete $370,376 in total project cost. The grants match up to 50 percent of project cost with a maximum grant of $3,500 per department.
Maryland Volunteer Fire Assistance grant recipients by county are:
- Allegany County
- Baltimore County
- Calvert County
- Caroline County
- Carroll County
- Cecil County
- Charles County
- Dorchester County
- Garrett County
- Howard County
- Kent County
- Prince George’s County
- Queen Anne’s County
- Somerset County
- St. Mary’s County
- Washington County
- Wicomico County
Beyond supporting individual fire companies, the Volunteer Fire Assistance program delivers broad benefits for counties and the residents they serve. By strengthening local capacity to prevent and respond to wildland fires, the grants help protect homes, farms, forests, and critical infrastructure while reducing the risk of large-scale emergencies that strain county budgets and mutual aid systems. For more details including grant amount and total project cost visit the DNR Website
