State offers $5M in grants for Arizona fire districts to buy trucks

PHOENIX — Arizona’s top forestry and wildfire officials are pumping money into their efforts to protect the state from disastrous fires.

They’re offering $5 million in new grants to help fire and medical authorities across Arizona buy new equipment for their fire trucks.

However, Arizona fire districts will have to apply quickly to get their piece of the freshly baked pie. Applications close on Jan. 24, 2025.

Where does the money for the new fire and medical equipment grants come from?

Federal funding made the new grants possible. The cash comes from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

Gov. Katie Hobbs also paved the way for the millions to flow to local fire departments. She provided the ARPA money to the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (DFFM) to allow the millions of dollars to be distributed through newly offered grants.

Applying for the grants will help districts buy a tactical water tender or a Type 3 or Type 6 fire engine. Districts within rural areas can request up to $400,000 in ARPA funds.

How can Arizona fire districts apply for the new equipment grants?

In addition to the ARPA grants, there are also DFFM’s Rural Fire Capacity (RFC) grants up for grabs.

These grants help smaller firefighting agencies to pay for hand tools, training, protection equipment, fire shelters and more.

Unlike the ARPA grants, these aren’t part of a new grant program. In fact, RFC grants are offered every year so Arizona fire districts in rural areas can buy the critical equipment they need to fight wildfires they otherwise couldn’t afford.

Like the ARPA grants, the deadline to apply for RFC grants is Jan. 24.

Arizona fire districts can apply for the grants online.