Ricochet and NVFC to Award EMS, Wildland, and Technical Rescue PPE to Volunteer Fire Departments

July 14, 2026

Ricochet is partnering with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) to donate high-quality personal protective equipment (PPE) to volunteer fire, EMS, and rescue departments across the U.S. through the Ricochet PPE Award Program.

Having the right PPE for the right response is critical to the safety and effectiveness of emergency responders. Yet many volunteer departments struggle to find funding for EMS, wildland, and technical rescue gear. Ricochet and the NVFC are working to address this need by providing departments with gear packages designed for these specific responses.

The program includes three distinct application periods in August, September, and October. Five departments will be awarded five sets of gear (jacket and pants) after each application period, for a total of 15 departments and 75 sets of gear provided. The gear packages and application periods are as follows:

  • August 3 to August 31 at noon ET – Ricochet Out Front™ Technical Rescue Gear
  • September 1 to September 30 at noon ET – Ricochet Wildland Gear
  • October 1 to October 30 at noon ET – Ricochet Wildland + Technical Rescue Dual-Cert Gear

To be eligible, departments must annually respond to the type of calls corresponding to the gear they are applying for, have at least one NVFC member, be over 50 percent volunteer, serve a population of 25,000 or less, be located in the U.S. and legally organized under state law, and demonstrate a need for the gear. Departments can apply for any or all of the gear packages based on their operational needs; applying for one does not make you ineligible to apply for another.

“Too many volunteer fire, EMS, and rescue departments send their responders on calls wearing the wrong type of gear due to limited budgets and resources,” said NVFC Chair Steve Hirsch. “The Ricochet PPE Award Program will equip more volunteer responders with the right gear for the call, improving safety, effectiveness, and readiness. We thank Ricochet for their support of the volunteer emergency services and for helping our nation’s departments be ready for all types of calls.”

“Volunteer departments don’t have the luxury of wasted gear, wasted time, or wasted budget – and we don’t take that lightly,” said Laura Miller, Director of Marketing at Ricochet. “We’re proud to build systems based on real firefighter input – gear designed for how the job actually gets done today, not how it used to be. The result is purpose-built protection that helps limit unnecessary exposure, improve mobility, extend the life of your turnout gear, and stretch every dollar further.”

Learn more about the program and the gear specifications at www.nvfc.org/ricochet. The first application period starts on August 3. Find tips for submitting a strong grant application in this video. Learn more about the importance of having the right gear for the right response in this NVFC webinar sponsored by Ricochet.

About Ricochet
At Ricochet, we know what volunteer firefighters face – tough calls, tight budgets, and the constant pressure to protect their communities. That’s why every set of gear we build is designed with real firefighter input – so it performs when lives depend on it, without unnecessary cost or complexity. From structural and wildland to technical rescue and EMS, our NFPA-compliant PPE is crafted with pride in Philadelphia and built to last. Making the switch to non-PFAS gear? We make it easy – same protection, durability, and comfort, plus clear guidance and grant-friendly options – because your health matters as much as your safety. Volunteers choose Ricochet for trusted protection, budget-smart solutions, and gear that stands up to years of service. Because making it home matters most. Learn more or contact us at RicochetGear.com or call 215-849-1971.

About the NVFC
The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is the leading nonprofit membership association representing the interests of the volunteer fire and emergency medical services. The NVFC unites and supports volunteer and combination fire and EMS organizations through education, advocacy, leadership development, and collaboration. Guided by professionalism and innovation, we provide the tools and resources needed to protect communities, advance responder health and safety, and prepare leaders for the future. Learn more and join at www.nvfc.org.