Upshur County Volunteer Fire Departments Secure Over $220,000 in State Grant Funding

Volunteer fire departments across Upshur County have been awarded a combined total of more than $220,000 in state funding through the Texas A&M Forest Service’s Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program (HB 2604).
The awards, announced October 23, 2026, following Fiscal Year 2027 Round #1 funding evaluations, distributed approximately $19.6 million statewide to assist volunteer departments with essential equipment, training aids, and vehicle upgrades.
A total of eight departments serving communities throughout Upshur County were approved for funding in this round, receiving support for protective gear, operational equipment, and mobile firefighting units.
Upshur County Grant Recipients & Award Breakdown
Diana Volunteer Fire Department: $45,000 for a Slip-On Unit.
Gilmer Volunteer Fire Department: $45,000 for a Slip-On Unit.
New Mountain Volunteer Fire Department: $45,000 for a Slip-On Unit.
Pritchett Volunteer Fire Department: $45,000 for a Slip-On Unit.
East Mountain Volunteer Fire Department: $30,000 for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Ewell Volunteer Fire Department: $30,000 for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Harmony Consolidated Volunteer Fire Department: $30,000 for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Ore City Volunteer Fire Department: $30,000 for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
City of Big Sandy Volunteer Fire Department: $15,000 for Training Aids.
(Total Upshur County Funding: $315,000 across 9 awards)
Statewide Program Details
Established by the 77th Texas Legislature in 2001, the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program provides vital financial resources to local volunteer departments to keep first responders equipped and properly trained.
Official written approval notices were distributed via email to recipient departments on October 23, with status updates posted in the state’s FireConnect portal. Applications from departments not selected in this initial round will automatically roll forward for consideration during the next funding cycle, tentatively scheduled for March 26, 2027.