More than 100 small volunteer fire departments receive grant funding in Missouri

MISSOURI(KBSI) – The Department of Public Safety announced the first-ever Missouri Volunteer Fire Department Grant in October 2025. There was a 5% local cash match, which means for equipment costing $15,789.47, the local match share would be $789.47 and the state share of 95% would be $15,000. The performance period of the grant ended May 15, 2026.

Missouri Division of Fire Safety shares that 108 small volunteer fire departments have received $1.455 million in state grants to bolster their ability to provide critical protection to their rural communities.

The Missouri Volunteer Fire Department Grant provided up to $15,000 for the purchase of equipment to agencies with annual operating budgets of $50,000 or less, where resources for essential firefighting equipment can be tight.

Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe shared his approval for the funding.

“Missouri’s firefighters stand guard, protecting our communities from fires, natural disasters and other emergencies each and every day,” Governor Mike Kehoe said. “We’re glad to see this funding put to work for precisely the reason we created the grant – to provide essential firefighting and safety equipment to the smallest volunteer departments, whose members define selfless community service each time they respond to a call.”

For a list of departments that received grant funding: Division of Fire Safety Forms Search | Missouri Department of Public Safety