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2026 Special Session I

Budget Bill - HB30 (Chapter)

Department of Fire Programs

Item 406

Item 406

First Year - FY2027Second Year - FY2028
Financial Assistance for Fire Services Programs (76400)$55,829,008$55,829,008
Fire Programs Fund Distribution (76401)FY2027 $50,382,527FY2028 $50,382,527
Live Fire Training Structure Grant (76402)FY2027 $2,500,000FY2028 $2,500,000
Categorical Grants (76403)FY2027 $2,946,481FY2028 $2,946,481
Fund Sources:  
GeneralFY2027 $2,121,481FY2028 $2,121,481
SpecialFY2027 $53,457,527FY2028 $53,457,527
Federal TrustFY2027 $250,000FY2028 $250,000

Authority: §§ 38.2-401, Code of Virginia.


A.1. Out of the appropriation provided in Item 406 A., Chapter 725, 2025 Acts of Assembly, the Department of Fire Programs, in conjunction with the Virginia Fire Services Board, is authorized to provide grants to localities with qualifying fire departments or fire companies, as defined in §§ 27-6.01 and 27-6.02, Code of Virginia, to purchase protective equipment for firefighters. Funds allocated to localities pursuant to this subsection shall not be used directly or indirectly to supplant or replace funding provided to localities through the Fire Programs Fund (§ 38.2-401, Code of Virginia). Such funds shall solely be used for the purpose of purchasing breathing apparatus equipment and other non-vehicular equipment necessary for the protection of firefighters responding to a fire. Any remaining unexpended balance at year-end shall be reappropriated in the subsequent fiscal year.


2. The Department of Fire Programs and the Virginia Fire Services Board shall develop policies and procedures for the distribution of funds from this grant. The allocation shall prioritize localities that (i) score both above average or high on the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development's (DHCD) fiscal stress index and double-distressed according to the Virginia Economic Development Partnership's (VEDP) Commonwealth Opportunity Funds Distressed Localities Assessment, and (ii) demonstrate the need for such protective non-vehicular equipment. Each receiving locality shall report to the Department on the use of the funds allocated to it.


B. Out of the appropriation provided in this Item, $2,000,000 the first year and $2,000,000 the second year from the general fund to establish the Firefighter Cancer Screening Grant program for the purpose of awarding grants to localities with qualifying fire departments or fire companies, as defined in §§ 27-6.01 and 27-6.02, Code of Virginia, for costs incurred in providing eligible cancer screening tests to career firefighters in an amount less than or equal to $350 per eligible screening. The Department of Fire Programs and the Virginia Fire Services Board shall develop policies and procedures for the distribution of funds from this grant