Rural Fire Assistance

The Rural Fire Assistance (RFA) Program is a cost share program established in 2001 by the United States Department of the Interior. Department of Interior (DOI) Agencies include the US Fish & Wildlife Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Land Management. In Kansas, the US Fish & Wildlife Service has passed administration of the RFA Program to the Kansas Forest Service.

The goal of the RFA Program is to enhance the fire protection capability of rural fire districts through funding training, equipment, and fire prevention efforts. The program has three eligibility requirements:

1. The fire department must serve an area with a population under 10,000.
2. The fire department must meet the minimum 10% cost share requirement.
3. A Cooperative Agreement must exist between the DOI unit (your local refuge) and the fire department.

Funding for the program is typically $16,000. The program is administered in much the same way as our traditional cost share program, the Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) Program. Each department may determine what purchase is most necessary and apply for cost share on that purchase. Applications are typically mailed out in late spring. As with VFA, purchases made prior to receiving notification of an award are not eligible. Successful applicants are required to cover all purchase expenses up front and submit receipts and cancelled checks for reimbursement. Though it is not a strict requirement, it is recommended that purchases be focused on personal protective clothing or equipment for wildland firefighting, as that is the general focus of the program.

For more information, please contact the Fire Management Coordinator.