Texas A&M Forest Service Allocates $14M to Texas Fire Departments

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The Texas A&M Forest Service has approved an additional $14 million in grant funding for Texas volunteer fire departments. This is the third scheduled distribution of the 89th Texas Legislature's $192 million appropriation to the Forest Service, which is being used to cover unfunded requests for personal protective equipment and training aids.

Why it matters

Volunteer fire departments in Texas play a critical role in protecting communities, but often face budget constraints. This additional funding from the state legislature will help these departments obtain necessary equipment and training to better serve their local areas.

The details

The latest $14 million allocation is part of a larger $192 million appropriation approved by the Texas Legislature. The first two rounds of funding awards occurred in October 2025 ($164 million) and December 2025 ($17.6 million). The Forest Service said this latest round of funding will allow them to increase reimbursement levels in certain categories to reflect rising equipment costs, while also reducing the financial burden on departments by lowering cost-share requirements.

• The Texas A&M Forest Service approved the additional $14 million in funding on February 13, 2026.
• The first two rounds of funding awards occurred in October 2025 ($164 million) and December 2025 ($17.6 million).

What’s next

The Texas A&M Forest Service will continue to distribute the remaining $10.4 million from the $192 million appropriation to volunteer fire departments across the state.