Chavez Announces Local Fire Grants
Press Release
COLUMBUS— State Senator Brian Chavez (R-Marietta) announced earlier week nearly 200 fire departments across Ohio will be receiving Small County Volunteer Fire Department (SCVFD) Grants, enabling departments to better equip themselves and protect their communities.
“Volunteer fire departments are the lifeblood of emergency response for rural Ohioans across the state,” said Senator Chavez. “I was proud to initiate this funding within the Operating Budget, and I am grateful to the State Fire Marshal’s Office for its effective and efficient disbursement of these funds.”
As part of the 2026-2027 State Operating Budget, Senator Chavez championed a first-of-its-kind $8 million appropriation to provide grants to small county volunteer fire departments in counties of less than 70,000 residents. These grants will assist the state’s small county fire departments in purchasing essential equipment, upgrading facilities, and enhancing access to firefighting training.
“The tremendous response to this program clearly demonstrates the critical need in our rural communities,” added Senator Chavez. “As the conversation on how to better support volunteer fire departments continues, I look forward to working with my colleagues to explore future funding opportunities to ensure our small county departments have the sustained support they deserve.”
190 departments across 49 counties have been awarded a total of $7,997,960 in funding through the grant program. A complete list of area departments receiving a SCVFD award follow.
Belmont County: $275,237.89 total
- Barnesville Volunteer Fire Department: $47,352.09
- Bethesda Fire Department: $47,745.80
- Somerton Volunteer Fire Department: $23,500
- Bridgeport Volunteer Fire Department: $49,965
- Brookside Volunteer Fire Department: $48,997
- Martins Ferry Fire Department: $10,500
- Wolfhurst Central Volunteer Fire Department: $47,178
Guernsey County: $121,563.43 total
- Lore City Volunteer Fire Department: $49,637.43
- Old Washington Volunteer Fire Department: $21,926
- Quaker City Volunteer Fire Department: $50,000
Harrison County: $142,806.20 total
- Freeport Community Volunteer Fire Department: $26,000
- Bowerston Volunteer Fire Department: $48,477
- Freeport Community Volunteer Fire Department: $26,000
- Harrisville Volunteer Fire Company: $18,329.20
- Scio Volunteer Fire Department: $50,000
Monroe County: $50,000 total
- Sardis Volunteer Fire Department: $50,000
Noble County: $99,933.35 total
- Belle Valley Volunteer Fire Department: $50,000
- Caldwell Volunteer Fire Company: $49,933.35
(Senator Brian Chavez Press Release)
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Fire Chief Bob Froehlich shared information on what the funds will purchase for Barnesville VFD. Read that account here.
Barnesville Area News reached out to Bethesda, Quaker City and Somerton for details of what they plan to spend their grant awards on. We’ll share that information as soon as we receive it.
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