The Duffee Volunteer Fire Department Inc. has been selected as one of only seven volunteer fire departments in Mississippi to receive a $10,000 grant through the Good Neighbor Firefighter Safety Program, a joint initiative between State Farm® and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC).
The program, now in its second year, awarded a total of $1.5 million to 150 volunteer fire departments across 44 states. The goal is to help local departments secure lifesaving equipment and gear they might not otherwise be able to afford. In addition to the 150 grants, State Farm provided complimentary NVFC memberships to the first 2,000 eligible applicants to provide more responders with access to an array of benefits, including free training, support services and more. The NVFC is the leading national nonprofit association serving the volunteer fire, emergency medical, and rescue services.
The funding comes at a crucial time for rural fire districts like Duffee, which often operate on tight budgets while responding to a wide range of emergencies — from house fires and medical calls to severe weather events and vehicle crashes.
These $10,000 grants will allow selected departments to purchase much-needed equipment such as personal protective gear, communication devices, EMS and rescue tools, breathing apparatuses, and other priority needs that improve not only firefighter safety but also their service to the community.
Other Mississippi departments receiving grants through this year’s program include: Harmony Volunteer Fire Department (Quitman), Hazlehurst Volunteer Fire Department, Madden Volunteer Fire Department (Carthage), Potts Camp Fire & Rescue, Stonewall Volunteer Fire Department, Watson Volunteer Fire Department (Byhalia).
The announcement was made on August 18, nationally recognized as Volunteer Firefighters Recognition Day — a fitting nod to the men and women who make up 65% of the U.S. fire service.
“The NVFC is proud to team up with State Farm to continue the Good Neighbor Firefighter Safety Program and provide critical assistance to volunteer fire departments,” said NVFC Chair Steve Hirsch. “Firefighting and rescue equipment is expensive, and many departments struggle to find the funding they need.”
Rasheed Merritt, State Farm corporate responsibility assistant vice president, added: “We are proud to support volunteer firefighters — the ultimate good neighbors who risk their lives daily.”
As part of the program, State Farm and the NVFC will also host community outreach events with 10 of the awarded departments later this fall.
