Local governments across the United States are eligible to apply for funding to convert their existing vehicles to wildland fire engines, thanks to a new funding opportunity announced by the Department of the Interior.

Over $20 million is available through President Joe Biden’s Investing in America agenda. The pilot program,  launched in February, aims to help small, remote emergency response agencies quickly expand their wildfire response capacity.

“Our nation experienced unprecedented wildfire activity this year, further demonstrating the need to expand our firefighting capacity and better equip local governments,” Interior Secretary Deb Haaland said.“Through this pilot program, President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is providing resources to help more local governments rapidly respond when a wildfire threatens their communities and landscapes.”

Who is Eligible for the Funding

This funding can be used by local governments that provide emergency services to areas with a population of 50,000 or less to purchase slip-on tanker units, which allow them to quickly convert trucks and other vehicles to be operated as wildland fire engines. 

These units can be installed to the back of pickup trucks and other truck chassis.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides a total of $50 million for the pilot program. Up to $20 million is available during this second round of funding. 

The department awarded nearly $1.3 million to an initial 21 local emergency response agencies in September.

The Slip-on Tanker Pilot Program is geared toward strengthen coordination between the Interior Department, states, and local communities to address the growing threat of wildfires. 

Improved collaboration is part of the Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission’s final report to Congress, which was released in September 2023. 

Established by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the commission was charged with making recommendations to improve federal policies related to the mitigation, suppression and management of wildland fires in the United States. 

Its final report outlined 148 consensus-based recommendations to change the nation’s relationship with wildfire.  

This funding is part of more than $1.1 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding allocated by the Department since 2021 to mitigate the risk of wildfires on public and Tribal lands, as well as better support wildland firefighters.  

Grant amounts will range from $10,000 to $500,000. Applications must be submitted through grants.gov by Feb. 26, 2025.