A North Carolina volunteer fire department has been awarded a $10,000 grant to purchase equipment and improve responder safety through a nationwide program supporting volunteer emergency services.
The Gates Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. is among 150 departments across the United States selected to receive funding through the State Farm® Good Neighbor Firefighter Safety Program. Conducted in collaboration with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), the program is providing a combined $1.5 million to volunteer fire departments in 2026.
The funding is designed to help local departments purchase equipment needed to protect firefighters and strengthen their ability to respond to emergencies in the communities they serve.
Volunteer Fire Departments Face Funding Challenges
Volunteer firefighters represent a major component of the U.S. emergency response system. According to information provided with the program announcement, 82% of U.S. fire departments consist entirely or primarily of volunteer firefighters.
Many of these departments operate with limited budgets, creating challenges when they need to replace aging equipment or acquire protective gear, emergency response tools and communications equipment.
State Farm and the NVFC established the Good Neighbor Firefighter Safety Program to help address those needs. The organizations are distributing $1.5 million to local fire departments in 2026. Since the program began in 2024, a total of $4 million has been distributed to support equipment needs at volunteer departments.
In North Carolina, the Gates Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. was selected as a grant recipient.
“Volunteer firefighters are there for their communities no matter what the emergency, from structure and wildland fires to vehicle crashes and medical emergencies to natural disasters and hazardous materials incidents,” said NVFC Chair Steve Hirsch. “Yet many local departments lack the funding to purchase the resources and gear they need, forcing them to rely on outdated or insufficient equipment. We thank State Farm for taking action to address this need by helping local departments secure critical equipment so they can do their jobs more safely and effectively.”
Funding Can Support Protective Gear and Rescue Equipment
The 2026 grant recipients were announced on August 18, a date many recognize as Volunteer Firefighters Recognition Day. The timing highlights the role volunteer firefighters play in responding to fires, medical emergencies, vehicle crashes, natural disasters and other incidents nationwide.
Grant recipients can use the funding to purchase a range of department necessities. Those purchases may include personal protective equipment, emergency medical services equipment, rescue tools, communications devices and other resources required for emergency operations.
“At State Farm, we are committed to helping people manage everyday risks and building safer, stronger communities,” said Rasheed Merritt, State Farm HR&D Exec-Corporate Responsibility. “We are proud to support volunteer firefighters with equipment needed to enhance safety.”
The funding is particularly significant for volunteer departments that may have fewer financial resources available for replacing or upgrading equipment. Access to newer protective gear and emergency response tools can help departments maintain their readiness while improving conditions for responders working in potentially dangerous environments.
Program Expands Support Beyond Financial Grants
In addition to awarding grants to 150 departments, State Farm provided complimentary NVFC memberships to the first 2,000 eligible applicants to the program.
Those memberships provide responders with access to benefits that include free training, support services and other resources intended to assist volunteer fire, emergency medical and rescue personnel.
The NVFC is a national nonprofit association serving volunteer fire, emergency medical and rescue services. Its collaboration with State Farm combines direct financial assistance for equipment purchases with access to professional resources for thousands of volunteer responders.
For the Gates Volunteer Fire Department, Inc., the $10,000 grant provides additional resources that can be directed toward equipment intended to improve firefighter safety and emergency response capabilities.
Nationwide, the latest funding round extends a program that has distributed $4 million since 2024, providing volunteer departments with additional support as they work to protect their communities despite often operating with limited budgets.
