SMYRNA, TN - The Almaville Volunteer Fire Department in Smyrna is one of 245 volunteer fire departments in Tennessee to receive a portion of the recently approved grants totaling $10 million, as announced by the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI) and the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO). Funding for 2025 was allocated through the Volunteer Firefighter Equipment and Training Grant Program.

Last month, the volunteers of the Alamaville department held a special program for the community. Their annual Breakfast with Santa was a great success for all who attended. “It’s events like the one held on December 7 that help bring the community together,” stated a patron of the volunteer department. “I enjoy bringing my grandchildren each year to see Santa,” said Dot, a grandmother who lives within Almaville’s service area.

According to a recent release from the State of Tennessee, the Almaville Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) on One Mile Lane was one of 325 departments that submitted a grant application this past November to the State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO). After a review period, 80 applications were cut following scoring that was evaluated by a seven-member committee for final award selection.

The funding for the grants were created through legislation overseen by Governor Bill Lee and approved by the Tennessee General Assembly, the Volunteer Firefighter Equipment and Training Grant Program provides grant monies to volunteer fire departments. The grants are used by volunteer departments to purchase firefighting equipment or help meet local matching requirements for federal equipment grants. 

Since the program’s launch in 2020, grants totaling $26.5 million have been provided to Tennessee volunteer fire departments in all three of Tennessee’s three Grand Divisions.

“Governor Lee and the General Assembly are committed to helping departments get the funding they need to help keep their firefighters safe,” said TDCI Commissioner and State Fire Marshal Carter Lawrence. “It is my honor to help serve the Tennessee fire service so that they can save lives and protect property across Tennessee.” 

Volunteer fire departments are crucial to providing fire safety as over 73% of Tennessee’s fire departments are staffed entirely by volunteers. Out of Tennessee’s 21,075 active firefighters, an estimated 12,460 are volunteers which accounts for over 59%.  

“Volunteer fire departments are the backbone of fire protection in our communities, and it is crucial that they have the equipment they need to safely complete their mission,” said Assistant Commissioner for Fire Prevention Mike Bell. “I encourage Tennessee’s volunteer fire departments to remember they can always reach out to me or the members of SFMO should they ever have any questions about the grant program or any of our work to support Tennessee’s volunteer fire departments.”  

A list of departments receiving grants in 2025 can be found here.