Four Brown County-area volunteer fire departments are set to receive a combined $105,000 in Texas A&M Forest Service grants aimed at improving emergency response capabilities. Early, Winchell, Zephyr and Blanket were among 518 rural volunteer departments statewide awarded funding in the first grant round of fiscal year 2027.
The grants are intended to give local firefighters equipment and training resources that can be critical when departments respond to wildfires and other emergencies. Texas A&M Forest Service announced nearly $20 million in total awards on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026.
How the Brown County grants will be used
Early received $30,000 for personal protective equipment, while Winchell and Zephyr each received $30,000 for fire and rescue equipment. Blanket was awarded $15,000 for training aids.
- Early: $30,000 for personal protective equipment
- Winchell: $30,000 for fire and rescue equipment
- Zephyr: $30,000 for fire and rescue equipment
- Blanket: $15,000 for training aids
The money comes through the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program, which provides cost-share funding for firefighting equipment, training and other emergency needs. The program can also help departments purchase firefighting apparatus, protective clothing and other resources used to protect residents and property.
Statewide need remains high
Rural volunteer departments are frequently the first emergency responders in their communities, according to the grant announcement. Funding helps departments maintain or improve their response capabilities while replacing or obtaining equipment needed for emergency operations.
Demand for the program routinely exceeds available funding. The source report said the 89th Texas Legislature appropriated $192 million in one-time additional funding to address outstanding requests and longstanding needs among rural volunteer departments.
Beyond equipment purchases, the program may support training tuition, volunteer recruitment resources, and the repair or replacement of equipment damaged or lost during catastrophic events or declared states of disaster.
“When an emergency happens, volunteer fire departments are often the first to answer the call. We are committed to strengthening our local responders across Texas by providing critically needed equipment and resources to save lives and protect property when it matters most,” said Merrie Noak, Texas A&M Forest Service program leader.
More funding rounds planned
Departments whose applications were not funded in the first round will remain under consideration during future rounds, according to the report. The next funding round is scheduled for March 2027.
The Oct. 23 grant-recipient list is available through the Texas A&M Forest Service funding summary for fiscal year 2027. Additional information is available through the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program.