The Office of State Fire Marshal (OSFM) is now accepting applications for the second round of Disaster Recovery Grants for fire departments and rescue squads impacted by Hurricane Helene. The additional $18 million in funding was authorized through House Bill 1012 / Session Law 2025-26 by the North Carolina General Assembly to further support storm recovery and strengthen wildfire preparedness across Western North Carolina. Eligible departments and squads may receive a flat $50,000 grant award to help replace damaged equipment or facilities or enhance wildfire response capacity.
“This funding represents another strong step in helping our local emergency responders rebuild and recover after Hurricane Helene,” said Brian Taylor, State Fire Marshal. “We’ve seen firsthand the dedication of these departments during both hurricanes and wildfires, and this grant ensures they have the resources to continue protecting their communities.”
Grant Overview
Eligibility: Departments or squads must be located in one of the following counties: Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Clay, Cleveland, Cherokee, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey.
Allowable Uses:
- Repair or replace equipment or facilities damaged by Hurricane Helene
- Enhance wildfire preparedness and response
- Departments that received funding from FEMA, insurance, or other sources for the same expenses must notify OSFM and may be subject to reimbursement requirements.
How To Apply:
- Round 1 applicants do not need to reapply unless contacted by OSFM.
- Rescue squads and departments that did not apply in Round 1 must submit a new application and required documentation.
- Applications must include a notarized attestation form signed by the department’s governing authority (e.g., mayor, board president, town manager).
- Online Applications and materials can be accessed at: HB 1012 Disaster Recovery Grant Application
Key Dates
- July 11, 2025 - Application Period Opens
- August 2, 2025 - Deadline to Apply (by Midnight)
- August 15 - Grant Awards & Disbursements Begin