Under the Volunteer Fire Assistance Act Grant, communities with populations of less than 10,000 people may apply for a 50/50 cost-share grant for amounts up to $1000.00. Departments my use these funds to purchase fire equipment. Fire station construction and general operating expenses do not qualify. For a $1000.00 award the fire department must provide proof of the project's completion and document $2000.00 in expenses. Applications may be obtained from one of the AFC District Offices. The application period is open once a year (usually May or June).
Revolving Loans
Rural Fire Protection districts, organized under Arkansas law, that operate not-for-profit or any other rural fire protection agency, service, or program that provides rural fire protection to its members or to the public not-for-profit will be eligible to use AFC's Interest-Free Loan program to purchase fire fighting equipment or vehicles.
Interested fire departments must request the loan in writing through the Rural Fire Protection Office at Greenbrier, Ark. The Rural Fire Protection Program has two-year or three-year, interest free loans of up to $15,000.00. These loans are available to purchase fire fighting vehicles or fire equipment. This loan requires a 25 percent down payment and four equal payments per year over the life of the loan, one payment each quarter. Other restrictions apply, please call our Greenbrier Office (Tele. No. 501-679-3581) for more details.
Examples of purchases authorized under this program are fire trucks, turnout gear, radios, SCBA's, pagers, dump tanks, etc.
Other Assistance Sources
Department of Rural Services
Butch Calhoun
888-787-2527
Rural Conservation & Development
Charles Gangluff
501-868-8483
Arkansas Department of Emergency Management
Jimmy Woods
Tele: 501-683-6781
Fax: 501-683-7890
or
Karol Rester
501-683-6712
Arkansas State Fire Training Academy
Rachel Nix
870-574-1521
State Fire Marshall
Lindsey Williams
501-618-8604