Queen Anne’s and Caroline County Fire Departments Receive State Grants for Wildfire Protection

Volunteer fire departments in Queen Anne’s and Caroline counties are receiving new state funding to strengthen wildland and brush fire protection in rural communities.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Forest Service has awarded Volunteer Fire Assistance grants to 55 volunteer fire departments across 17 counties in Maryland. The grants help departments purchase equipment and make improvements aimed at preventing and responding to brush and forest fires.

For the 2025 grant cycle, finalized in December, the Forest Service is providing $167,314 in matching funds toward $370,376 in total project costs statewide. Grants cover up to 50 percent of a project’s cost, with a maximum award of $3,500 per department. The program is funded by the USDA Forest Service.

Caroline County Grant Recipients:

Greensboro Volunteer Fire Company — $1,688
Preston Volunteer Fire Company — $3,500
Ridgely Volunteer Fire Department — $3,500

Queen Anne’s County Grant Recipients:

Grasonville Volunteer Fire Department — $3,500
Sudlersville Volunteer Fire Company — $3,500

Additional grants on the Eastern Shore were awarded to volunteer fire departments in Dorchester, Somerset, and Wicomico counties.
State officials say the funding supports volunteer fire companies — often the first line of defense in rural areas — by helping them remain prepared during wildfire season and protect nearby homes, farms, and natural resources.
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More information, including a full list of grant recipients statewide, is available through the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.