Five Minnesota volunteer fire departments, including four in southwest Minnesota, are receiving $10,000 grants through the State Farm Good Neighbor Firefighter Safety Program.
The Bird Island, Maynard, Murdock and Ormsby fire departments are among 150 volunteer departments nationwide receiving grants this year. Bemidji Fire Department Station 3 is the other Minnesota recipient.
The program, conducted by State Farm in partnership with the National Volunteer Fire Council, provided $1.5 million in grants this year to help departments purchase equipment to improve firefighter safety and emergency response.
Grant funds can be used for equipment including personal protective gear, EMS and rescue tools, communication devices and other department necessities.
NVFC Chair Steve Hirsch said many volunteer departments operate with limited funding and rely on outdated or insufficient equipment.
The grants were announced August 18, which is recognized by many as Volunteer Firefighters Recognition Day. State Farm and the NVFC have distributed $4 million to volunteer fire departments since the program began in 2024.
The program also provided complimentary NVFC memberships to the first 2,000 eligible applicants, giving firefighters access to training and other support services.
