7 Indiana volunteer fire departments receive $10,000 grants

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — In honor of Volunteer Firefighters Recognition Day, several Hoosier departments got $10,000 in grants from the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) and State Farm.

The grants, a part of the Good Neighbor Firefighter Safety Program, are from a $1.5 million initiative that awarded funds to 150 volunteer fire departments across 44 states. The money is being used to secure essential equipment to enhance safety and community protection.

“Firefighting and rescue equipment is expensive, and many departments struggle to find the funding they need,” NVFC Chair Steve Hirsch said. “These grants from State Farm enable small departments to secure equipment they need to be better prepared to serve their communities and protect their responders.”

“We are proud to support volunteer firefighters – the ultimate good neighbors who risk their lives daily,” State Farm spokesperson Rasheed Merritt said.

In Indiana, the volunteer fire departments receiving grants include Jennings Township Volunteer Fire Department in Austin, Kouts Volunteer Fire Department, Manilla Volunteer Fire Department, Monroe Township Cowan Volunteer Fire Department in Muncie, Owen Township Volunteer Fire Department in Norman, Palmyra Fire Department, and St. Anthony Volunteer Fire Department.

Since the program’s inception in 2024, $2.5 million has been awarded to 250 local fire departments, providing them with critical resources to improve safety and efficiency.

The National Volunteer Fire Council said volunteer firefighters make up 65% of the U.S. fire service, and communities across the country rely on volunteers to respond to emergencies of all kinds – from structure and wildland fires, to vehicle crashes and medical emergencies, to natural disasters and hazmat incidents.

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