JASPER, Texas — Texas A&M Forest Service has approved more than $17 million in funding for hundreds of volunteer fire departments statewide, including several in Southeast Texas, to help rural first responders purchase critical fire and rescue equipment.

The grants were awarded Dec. 5 through the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program after a historic investment by the 89th Texas Legislature. In total, 687 fire and rescue equipment grants and 66 dry hydrant grants were approved.

The program, created by House Bill 2604 in 2001, is designed to help fire departments in rural areas access the gear and training they need to protect their communities. Since its creation, the program has awarded over $500 million in grants to Texas fire departments, according to a Texas A&m Forest S

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