WVFD receives $10,000 grant for equipment

Special to Wesson News

The Wesson Volunteer Fire Department (WVFD) has been named as the recipient of a $10,000 2026 Good Neighbor Firefighter Safety Program grant from the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) and State Farm.

The funds from the grant will be used towards the purchase of new self-contained breathing apparatus equipment, which will help the firefighters as they serve the community.  

One hundred fifty volunteer fire departments were selected to each receive a $10,000 grant to help them purchase critical equipment that keeps firefighters safe and strengthens emergency response. The WVFD was one of only four volunteer fire departments in Mississippi to be selected to receive one of the grants.

According to information provided by the NVFC, eighty-two percent of U.S. fire departments are comprised entirely or mostly of volunteer firefighters. Many of these departments operate on limited budgets that leave them struggling to fund equipment that enables them to more effectively and safely do their jobs. Recognizing this need, State Farm and the NVFC teamed up to provide $1.5 million to local fire departments in 2026. Since the program began in 2024, a total of $4 million has been distributed to support volunteer fire departments with their equipment needs.

“Volunteer firefighters are there for their communities no matter what the emergency, from structure and wildland fires to vehicle crashes and medical emergencies to natural disasters and hazardous materials incidents,” said NVFC Chair Steve Hirsch. “Yet many local departments lack the funding to purchase the resources and gear they need, forcing them to rely on outdated or insufficient equipment. We thank State Farm for taking action to address this need by helping local departments secure critical equipment so they can do their jobs more safely and effectively.”

“At State Farm, we are committed to helping people manage everyday risks and building safer, stronger communities,” said Rasheed Merritt, State Farm HR&D Exec-Corporate Responsibility. “We are proud to support volunteer firefighters with equipment needed to enhance safety.”

The announcement of the 2026 recipients was made on August 18, a date many celebrate as Volunteer Firefighters Recognition Day. Grants will be used to purchase a wide variety of department necessities, including personal protective equipment, EMS and rescue tools,

In addition to the 150 grants, State Farm provided complimentary NVFC memberships to the first 2,000 eligible applicants to provide more responders with access to an array of benefits, including free training, support services and more. The NVFC is the leading national nonprofit association serving the volunteer fire, emergency medical, and rescue services.

For more information about the Good Neighbor Firefighter Safety Program, including a list of departments receiving the grants, visit the NVFC website at www.nvfc.org/statefarm.