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Demand for volunteer fire and rescue grants far exceeds funds; $68M requested in latest cycle
Summary
Commissioner Lawrence told the committee the most recent volunteer fire and rescue grant cycle produced roughly $68 million in requests, signaling widespread unmet needs despite state support for equipment and training.
Lawmakers pressed the Department of Commerce and Insurance about demand for volunteer fire and rescue equipment and training grants. Commissioner Carter Lawrence said the department recently received about $68 million in total requests during the latest awards cycle, and that outreach is bringing agencies into the program who had not applied previously.
The commissioner emphasized the program's statewide reach: “It's actually higher. You might recall I've said 68% in the past. It's actually 71% of the state is served by volunteer fire departments,” he told the committee. Members noted many local departments rely on grant dollars and fundraisers for core equipment; the department said unmet need remains high and that it aims to continue awarding grants within its available funding.
