Department of Interior Rural Fire Assistance Program

The Department of Interior (DOI) Rural Fire Assistance (RFA) Program is aimed at enhancing the fire protection capabilities of rural fire districts in the wildland urban interface. The program assists with training, equipment purchase, and prevention activities, on a 90/10 cost-share basis. The rural fire department must serve a community with a population of 10,000 or less and must have a statewide agreement with the state forester or a cooperative fire agreement with an agency in the DOI.

 

RFA was funded at $7 million in FY 2009 and FY 2010 after being zeroed-out in FY 2007 and receiving $6 million in FY 2008. RFA has been funded but never authorized, making it vulnerable to funding reductions or even elimination.