Equipment
A Small-Town Department, Rural Arkansas
When their only pumper truck broke down last spring, volunteers drove 40 miles to borrow equipment from a neighboring county. They answered the call anyway.
Arkansas Rural Fire Coalition
Protecting Rural Arkansas Starts With Proper Support
The volunteers protecting rural Arkansas deserve dependable funding, safe equipment, and the resources to answer every call.
Rural volunteer fire departments are the backbone of community safety across Arkansas — and they are being asked to do more with less every year.
The Arkansas Rural Fire Coalition brings together firefighters, department leaders, communities, and policymakers to advocate for the resources rural departments need to protect their communities.
01
Aging Equipment
Many departments operate fire trucks and protective gear that are decades past their service life, putting volunteers and communities at risk.
02
Funding Gaps
Without a dependable statewide funding model, rural departments rely on fish fry sales, chili suppers, and local donations to cover basic operating costs.
03
Training & Safety
Limited training budgets mean volunteers often lack access to the certifications and skills needed to respond safely and effectively.
04
Recruitment & Retention
Rising demands and inadequate support make it harder than ever to recruit new volunteers and keep experienced ones.
Most rural departments rely entirely on volunteer labor — unpaid neighbors protecting their own communities.
Many departments operate equipment decades past its service life, with no reliable path to replacement.
Funding gaps leave rural communities without adequate fire protection — a gap that costs lives and property.
From the Field
The People Behind the Call
Every rural fire department has a story. These are the voices of the volunteers and communities who need your support.
Training
A Volunteer Department, Delta Region
With no training budget, the department's newest volunteers have never completed a live-fire exercise. They respond to structure fires with classroom knowledge alone.
Resources
A Rural Station, Ozark Foothills
The station's roof leaks, the gear is 20 years old, and the department has five active volunteers for a coverage area of 90 square miles.
Funding Resources
Find the Funding Your Department Needs
ARFC maintains a clearinghouse of grant opportunities, deadlines, and writing resources specifically for Arkansas rural fire departments. We track federal, state, and private funding so your department doesn't have to.
FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG)
Annual — Check Current CycleFederal funding for equipment, training, and wellness programs for fire departments.
USDA Community Facilities Grant
Rolling ApplicationsSupports essential community facilities including fire stations in rural areas.
Arkansas Department of Emergency Management
State Fiscal YearState-level resources and hazard mitigation funding for local emergency services.
Get Involved
Stand With Rural Arkansas Firefighters
There are real ways to make a difference — whether you're a firefighter, a concerned resident, or someone who wants to help from wherever you are.
Volunteer
Rural departments need firefighters, support staff, and community advocates. Find out how to join or support a department near you.
Find Volunteer OpportunitiesAdvocate
Contact your elected officials, share our message, and help us make the case for dependable statewide funding for rural fire protection.
Take ActionSupport
Help us amplify the stories of rural departments and build the public awareness that drives policy change.
Support the Coalition
Every Call Deserves a Response
Rural Arkansas firefighters answer every call — with aging trucks, outdated gear, and no guarantee of funding. Help us change that.