Two volunteer fire departments serving Brown County communities will receive $25,000 each from the Texas A&M Forest Service to strengthen emergency response capabilities. The Early Fire Department’s grant is designated for fire and rescue equipment, while the Blanket Volunteer Fire Department will use its funding for personal protective equipment.
The awards are part of nearly $5 million distributed Aug. 26 to 118 rural volunteer fire departments across Texas. The funding is intended to help departments purchase and maintain the equipment needed to respond safely and effectively to fires, wildfires and other emergencies.
How the Brown County grants will be used
Early’s $25,000 award will support fire and rescue equipment. Blanket’s $25,000 will fund protective equipment for firefighters. The grants target different needs, but both are designed to improve the departments’ ability to protect residents and property during emergencies.
According to the Texas A&M Forest Service, rural volunteer fire departments frequently serve as the first line of response to wildfires and other emergencies. The agency’s assistance program helps departments maintain their response capabilities and gives firefighters access to equipment and resources needed to serve their communities.
State program faces more demand than available funding
Jason Keiningham, head of the Texas A&M Forest Service Capacity Building Department, said the agency works to use available program funds to help fire departments obtain equipment and training. He said the goal is to help protect life and property across Texas.
“We work diligently to utilize all available program funds to assist fire departments in acquiring the necessary equipment and training to allow them to better protect life and property across the state of Texas,” said Jason Keiningham.
“We’re proud to do everything in our power to help our partners in the fire service.”
The awards came during the fifth and final funding round of fiscal year 2026. Demand for the program routinely exceeds the funding available as volunteer departments work to maintain or replace fire vehicles, protective gear and other essential resources.
The 89th Texas Legislature responded to the continuing demand by allocating $192 million in one-time additional funding for outstanding requests. During fiscal year 2026, the Texas A&M Forest Service awarded more than $227 million through the program to support 1,229 volunteer fire departments statewide.
More funding rounds are planned
The program can also provide money for training tuition, volunteer recruitment resources, and the repair or replacement of equipment damaged or lost after catastrophic events or declared disasters.
Departments whose applications were not approved during the Aug. 26 round will automatically be considered in future funding rounds. The next round is scheduled for October 2026.