The purpose of the Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) Program, is to provide Federal financial, technical, and other assistance to State Foresters and other appropriate officials to equip, train, and organize fire departments in rural areas and rural communities to prevent and suppress fires. A rural community is defined as having 10,000 or less population and maybe incorporated, unincorporated, a township or some other identifiable descriptor. 

Eligible expenses include 

• Wildland PPE,
• Wildland equipment,
• Communication equipment,
• SCBA,
• Training materials or
• Other fire suppression and prevention equipment. 

Priority funding is given to wildland fire equipment, safety items and communication needs.