Texas fire departments and agencies have a massive opportunity right now. A recent action by the Texas A&M Forest Service, provides a historic allocation of $164 million, to be distributed to volunteer fire departments in Texas. These fund are to be used to purchase apparatus, slip-on units, equipment and training.
At Fenton Fire, we understand the unique needs of fire departments, from apparatus upfitting to safe equipment installation and maintenance:
What the grant funding includes.
How your fire department can take advantage.
Why partnering with a trusted supplier like Fenton Fire strengthens your application and long-term value.
What’s the deal with the Texas A&M Fire Grants?
This October, 2025, the Texas A&M Forest Service announced approval of $164 million in funding to support the purchase of 558 fire trucks and 321 slip-on units via the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program.
Driven by the 89th Texas Legislature’s investment in strengthening local fire-response capacity. It is the largest allocation in the program’s history.
The program covers equipment, apparatus, slip-ons, training and capacity support via the portal called FireConnect (an online system for fire-department grants).
There are also land-owner grants and prescribed fire/fuel-reduction grants by the Texas A&M Forest Service. This is aimed at clearing hazardous fuels, using prescribed burns, etc.
What this means: If you run a volunteer fire department, fire district, or fire apparatus procurement program in Texas, now is the time to prepare and ensure your equipment procurement strategy aligns with in-state grant eligibility.
How to position your fire department for success
Here are some steps you can take to you make the most of the grant cycle:
Review eligibility & timeline
The portal FireConnect is key resource for information and application for these grants.
Verify that your organization meets the definitions and requirments for approval.
Understand that the funding is part of the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program, established under Texas House Bill 2604.
Although the major allocation was annouced October 14th, 2025, planning ahead matters. Grants may be tied to certain fiscal years, matched timelines, equipment specs, etc.
Align your equipment strategy
Ensure your demand reflects actual operational needs (e.g., brush trucks, major pumpers, water capacity, slip-on units for rural terrain).
Work with your vendor/supplier early. At Fenton Fire, we can assist you in selecting apparatus upgrades.
Build detailed cost proposals: many grants require clear budget lines, justification of need, how the equipment improves response times, capability, safety.
Demonstrate impact and readiness
Highlight how the equipment upgrade reduces risk, improves response, covers more territory, or replaces outdated units that my lack capacity, reliability or compliance.
Clear metrics: number of calls per year, geographical challenges, brush/terrain issues, response time improvements anticipated.
Find ways to show how the equipment will be used, maintained, inspected and kept operational, grant agencies apprciate sustainable plans.
Provide a clear timeline for installation, training of operators, maintenance schedule.
Partner with qualified vendors and installers
Fenton Fire can help provide clear specifications on the eqipment. Helping you avoid vague proposals.
Create a compelling narrative
Grant applications benefit when you include photos of existing equipment, condition, fleet age, response scenarios, call volume, community risk profile (rural terrain, wildland interface, drought/fuel load).
Remember, these funds are being relased to address a problem. Show how your upgraded apparatus will tie into the broader statewide network (including mutual-aid, wildland interface, terrain challenges) — this will help show how you’ll be part of the solution
Why your relationship with Fenton Fire matters
At Fenton Fire, we do more than just sell equipment — we partner with departments to maximise their grant potential and ensure long-term performance.
Grant-supportive specification: We help craft equipment specs that align with grant expectations (e.g., slip-on units with defined water capacity, pump systems, terrain ready).
Documentation & compliance: Grants often require supporting documentation — we can help provide installation logs, testing reports, operator manuals, training records.
Maintenance & longevity: The best apparatus performs when needed. We offer ongoing maintenance, inspections and retrofits, so what you buy now remains mission-ready for years.
Training & service: New equipment may have new systems. We provide training to your team so that the investment isn’t just on paper — the department can leverage the full capability.
By working with us, you’ll be able to present not just a “wish list” of equipment, but a fully-formed plan: purchase, install, train, maintain, deploy—exactly the kind of readiness the grant reviewers want to see.
Key Considerations
Lead times: Apparatus/builds may have lead times. Order early once awarded to avoid missing your window.
Budget vs. reality: The grant allocation is large, but competition will be strong. Prepare a realistic budget and backup plan.
Current fleet condition and inventory: Document existing fleet, age, maintenance backlog. This will help strengthen your case.
Matching funds or other costs: Check whether parts of your request require cost-share or department funding, ensure it fits your budget.
Documentation: Have your vehicle IDs, department charter, call volume stats, community risk profile, and mutual aid agreements, ready for submission.
Vendor partner readiness: Choose vendors early (like Fenton Fire) so you’re ready to specify, order, and install once the award is made.
Sustainment plan: Show how you’ll keep the equipment operational. A clear maintenance budget, training plan, inspections and life-cycle replacement path, will provide a clear overall picture.
Timeline alignment: Ensure your timeline for ordering, delivery, installation and training aligns with funding guidelines and fiscal year requirements.
Compliance & standards: Ensure the equipment that you are considering, meets the requirments such as NFPA, UL, Texas Stare requirements. Document this in your proposal and specs.
How to Prepare
Conduct a fleet audit: list all apparatus, age, pump size, tank capacity, slip-on units, call volume, terrain factors.
Draft a “needs assessment” citing risk (wildland interface, territorial challanges, equipment age, mutual aid demands).
Identify target equipment to be replaced: e.g., “2018 Brush truck with 250 GPM pump and 500 gallon, replacing a 1985 brush truck with 250-gallon tank that responded to 100 calls last year.”
Partner with a vendor likee Fenton Fire: specify model, pump, hose reels, water tank size, skid-unit design, terrain features.
Provide a clear budget: itemize purchase cost, installation cost, training cost, maintenance cost.
Create timeline: Purchase, delivery, installation, training and deployment.
Submit grant application: include all supporting documentation, such as fleet audit, needs assessment, vendor quote, timeline, budget, maintenance plan, etc.
Post award: Be ready to move quickly, with the increased funds available to fire departments, used equipment will sell faster than usual.
Provide outcome metrics: After equipment is in service, track usage, response improvement, reliability, and include that in your reports/future grant applications.
Plan for lifecycle: Having a replacement and maintenance schedule helps ensure the investment continues to deliver value.
Response Time
The funding announcement of $164 million is historic and indicates strong state commitment to bolster fire-department equipment capacity in Texas.
Strong preparation will give your department an edge.
By aligning procurement now, you’ll avoid delays and be ready to purchase when the right equipment shows up.
Moving quickly and thoughtfully will be able to hit the ground running and maximise the benefit to your community.
Time to Move
If your Texas fire department is looking to upgrade your fleet, and make the most of the Texas A&M Forest Service’s grant cycle, we at Fenton Fire are ready to be your partner.
Next steps: Contact us today to find out how we can help and discuss market options
Let’s work together to help capture this wave of funding.