Press Release  Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards Over $131,000 to Rural and Volunteer Fire Departments Across Massachusetts

Brookfield — The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) today announced more than $131,000 in grants to 45 rural, call, or volunteer fire departments across Massachusetts through the Volunteer Fire Capacity (VFC) Program. The program helps smaller departments train personnel, prevent forest fires and strengthen emergency response in their communities. DCR announced the VFC recipients at the Brookfield Fire Station, alongside local elected officials on Friday, August 7. 

“Just weeks ago, Massachusetts firefighters answered the call to help battle devastating wildfires in Minnesota, demonstrating the heroism, professionalism and commitment to service that define our fire service,” said Governor Maura Healey. “These grants will help our rural, call and volunteer fire departments purchase critical equipment, protective gear and training so firefighters can continue protecting lives, property and communities across Massachusetts.”

“Volunteer and call firefighters are the backbone of emergency response in many communities across Massachusetts,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “These grants will help departments purchase the equipment, protective gear and training they need to strengthen their response capabilities and continue keeping their neighbors safe.”

"Recent wildfires in Canada and Minnesota—which Massachusetts firefighters helped respond to—are a reminder that every community must be prepared for a changing wildfire landscape," said DCR Commissioner Nicole LaChapelle. "The Volunteer Fire Capacity grants help smaller fire departments purchase the personal protective equipment, training, and firefighting tools they need to respond safely and effectively, protecting residents, natural resources, and the outdoor spaces people enjoy across the state." 

Wildfire data collected annually by DCR has shown a continued trend of longer wildfire seasons in Massachusetts. In 2025, the state experienced 1,161 wildfires, which burned an approximate total 925 acres. This summer, Massachusetts has experienced worsening levels of air quality due to smoke from wildfires burning across Canada and Northern Minnesota, prompting DCR to dispatch wildfire personnel to Minnesota to assist with suppression efforts. 

"Rural communities depend on volunteer and call firefighters who step up whenever their neighbors need them," said Anne Gobi, Director of Rural Affairs for the Executive Office of Economic Development. "These grants help ensure departments have the training, equipment and resources they need to protect their communities, support one another through mutual aid, and respond to the growing threat of wildfires. This investment in these local fire departments is an investment in the safety and resilience of all of Massachusetts.”

VFC grants specifically support municipalities with populations under 10,000 people that are served by community volunteer fire departments. To qualify, departments’ staffing must consist of at least 80 percent call or volunteer firefighters, be compliant with National Incident Management System (NIMS) standards, and be a state-recognized fire department. Many of these departments are in areas of Massachusetts that are of higher risk of wildfires, necessitating levels of training and equipment beyond traditional community firefighting standards. 

"I am very happy to see more than $10,000 coming to some of the small communities in my district," said State Senator Peter Durant. "A grant for one town is really a grant for several towns given the nature of fighting forest fires in communities that rely so heavily on one another for mutual aid. I am also grateful to our federal partners who fund this program and to DCR which administers the grant for recognizing the needs in the district."

This year’s VFC grant program added two additional communities to its list of recipients and increased the total amount of awarded funding by $14,000 over last year. The VFC program is authorized by the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 and is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service and administered by DCR on a 50 percent reimbursement basis. 

Towns that received an award from this year’s program are:

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