COLLEGE STATION, Texas — The Texas A&M Forest Service approved $17.6 million in funding on Friday to award volunteer fire departments across Texas through the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program.

The multi-million dollar funding was issued for 687 fire and rescue equipment grants and 66 dry hydrant grants.

The Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program was established by Texas House Bill 2604 in 2001 to provide grants to rural volunteer fire departments for essential firefighting equipment and training. Since its onset, the program has awarded over $500 million in grants to Texas fire departments.

The funding is the second phase in distributing over $192 million to Texas volunteer fire departments following approval by the 89th Texas Legislature for departments th

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