EL CAMPO — The El Campo Volunteer Fire Department has been awarded a $25,000 grant to purchase protective equipment for its firefighters, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.
The department was among 118 volunteer fire departments across Texas approved for approximately $5 million in funding during the fifth round of the state’s Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program for fiscal year 2026. The grants were approved on August 26.
El Campo was the only Wharton County department listed among the recipients in this funding round.
The department’s $25,000 award is designated for personal protective equipment, commonly known as PPE. This equipment helps protect firefighters from heat and other hazards they may encounter while responding to fires and emergencies.
The funding comes through a state program established in 2001 to assist rural volunteer fire departments with purchasing equipment and obtaining training. The Texas A&M Forest Service administers the program, which provides financial assistance for firefighting gear, rescue equipment, emergency vehicles and other operational needs.
Departments in neighboring counties also received funding. Fairchild Volunteer Fire Department in Fort Bend County was awarded $10,000 for training aids, while Freeport Fire & EMS in Brazoria County received $10,000 for training aids.
According to the funding summary, all approved departments received official written notification of their awards on August 26, with application statuses also updated in the state’s FireConnect system.
The state has not specified what protective equipment El Campo will purchase with the grant or when the equipment is expected to arrive.
The next funding round is tentatively scheduled for October 2026, providing another opportunity for volunteer fire departments to receive state assistance.
Source: Texas A&M Forest Service, FY 2026 Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program Funding Round 5.
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