The Volunteer Fire Assistance Program was formerly known as the Rural Community Fire Protection (RCFP) Program. The name of the program was changed to Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) during the Fiscal Year (FY) 1999 budget process. The new name and its acronym are used throughout this guide.

The purpose of this desk guide is to provide a ready reference for State and Forest Service personnel who are charged with administering the Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) Program. The program is authorized in the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978, as amended by the Forest Stewardship Act of 1990.

Important sections of Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) are discussed as they affect the VFA Program. Some CFR references are presented in their entirety. However, to include copies of all material that affects management of the program would be too voluminous. State fire supervisors and others concerned with administering the VFA Program should consult with their grants management personnel as necessary. Grants personnel have copies of the documentation referenced in this guide.

The guide is generic in nature. It is not possible to deal with all issues that may affect specific States. States differ considerably in their political structure. Some States may have political subdivisions that include only counties, cities, and special purpose districts such as fire districts. Others include various combinations of such legal entities as counties, parishes, villages, boroughs, cities, towns, townships, districts, or others. State requirements also differ with respect to property management, procurement, records management, etc. Legal language in this guide is presented from the Federal perspective. State personnel should work with their Regional or Area VFA Coordinators to resolve special issues concerning the program.

It is intended that States have flexibility to manage the VFA Program according to State needs to the maximum extent possible, while assuring that minimum Federal requirements are met.