WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

A 11309

Establishes the volunteer fire infrastructure and response equipment (V-FIRE) grant program

2025 Regular Session

New York creates the V-FIRE grant program to fund capital improvements and equipment for volunteer fire departments and related entities, improving facilities, training, and respon

REFERRED TO GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 11309

Overview

A 11309 proposes establishing the Volunteer Fire Infrastructure and Response Equipment (V-FIRE) grant program within New York’s Office of Fire Prevention and Control. Administered by the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES), the program would provide capital grants to support fire prevention and response infrastructure, facilities, training, technology, and equipment for eligible volunteer fire entities.

Purpose and intent

  • Create a dedicated funding mechanism to sustain or enhance fire prevention and response operations and the associated infrastructure and equipment.
  • Improve capabilities of volunteer fire departments and related entities to serve municipalities across New York State.

Key provisions and changes

  • Establishment and administration
    • Creates the V-FIRE grant program in the executive law, administered by DHSES via the state commissioner.
  • Eligible applicants and projects
    • Eligible entities must be located in New York State and serve one or more municipalities.
    • Grants support two project types per cycle:
    • Eligible facility projects (acquisition, construction, renovation, rehabilitation, leasehold improvements of buildings used for fire services, including training facilities; electrical upgrades may count as infrastructure).
    • Eligible equipment projects (repair, enhancement, and installation of equipment for fire prevention/response, including vehicles, rehabilitation equipment, communications technology, and other safety gear).
  • Eligible applicants
    • Fire departments, municipalities, counties (if applying on behalf of departments/municipalities with documented approval), and two or more municipalities applying for a shared project.
    • Specifically includes volunteer-only fire departments and nonprofit fire companies, subject to potential additional pre-qualifications or documentation.
  • Application cycle and funding
    • Grants awarded on a competitive basis within each application cycle, subject to available appropriation.
    • The DHSES commissioner must provide updated information about the cycle, funding, and other relevant details before each cycle.
  • Reporting requirements
    • After each grant cycle, the commissioner must publish a report on the agency website by the 30th day following the cycle’s end.
    • The report must include: total available funding, total applicants, per-applicant details (active vs. inactive firefighters and total funds requested by project type and county), and a list of awardees with service areas and funding by project type and county.
  • Definitions (key terms)
    • Available funding: total appropriation for V-FIRE, including maximum awards per project type and per grantee.
    • Eligible facility project: building-related projects for fire services, including training facilities and infrastructure upgrades.
    • Eligible equipment project: funding for equipment, vehicles, rehab gear, communications tech, and safety equipment.
    • Eligible entity: fire departments, municipalities, counties (with caveats), and multi-municipality shared projects.
    • Grant application cycle: window defined by DHSES (start to 60 days after award notices).
    • Fire department: volunteer-only departments or nonprofit fire companies serving state municipalities.
    • Municipality: villages, towns, cities, or fire districts providing fire protection.
  • Rulemaking
    • DHSES commissioner is authorized to promulgate rules/regulations to implement the act, with potential inclusion in the grant guidelines and website.

Who would be affected

  • Primary beneficiaries: volunteer fire departments and nonprofit fire companies, municipalities, counties that operate or cooperate with fire departments, and multi-municipality fire service partnerships.
  • Indirect beneficiaries: communities served by eligible fire departments, through improved facilities, equipment, and response capabilities.

Timeline and effective date

  • Effective date: April 1 following enactment.
  • Rulemaking: Authorities can implement necessary rules and regulations as of enactment or effective date.
  • Application cycles: To be determined by DHSES for each cycle, with updated cycle information published beforehand; grant reporting due within 30 days after each cycle ends.

Practical impact

  • Increases capital funding opportunities for capital-intensive needs (buildings, training facilities, vehicles, and equipment) for volunteer fire services.
  • Establishes a transparent reporting framework to inform the public about funding availability, demand, and award distribution.
  • Encourages regional and multi-municipality collaborations by permitting shared projects and requiring documented approvals where counties apply on behalf of others.

If you’d like, I can tailor this into a one-page briefing for stakeholders or compare it to existing NY grant programs for context.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.