Deep River & Haddam Receive Volunteer Fire Capacity Grants
September 18, 2025
Deep River & Haddam (Higganum) are two of the 38 local volunteer fire departments across the state to receive Volunteer Fire Capacity Grants.
This funding will enhance firefighting capabilities by supporting training and the purchase of necessary equipment. These funds are provided through a federal program that supports fire departments in towns with a population of less than 10,000 people.
Local departments receiving funds:
Deep River Fire Department, Deep River - $2,500
Haddam Volunteer Fire Co., Higganum - $1,942
Since 2001, Congress has authorized VFC funds annually under the Farm Bill. Funding passes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service to the DEEP Forestry Division, which then awards grants of up to $2,500 to volunteer firefighter projects statewide. A small portion of VFC funds support special training projects in cooperation with the Connecticut Fire Academy in Windsor Locks.
In the past 12 years, the DEEP Forestry Division has awarded over $865,000 in VFA/VFC grants to Connecticut fire departments.