VFD’s are receiving $15,000 from Volunteer Fire Assistance program
HICKOX — Governor Brian Kemp recently made a special trip to Brantley County to commend local firefighters for their courage and dedication, and to announce a $15,000 grant to the local volunteer fire departments as part of a special program to help equip vehicles and responders in the face of future wildfires.
Kemp made the announcement during a Tuesday, September 29 press conference held at the Nahunta Volunteer Fire Department’s Hickox station.
Approximately 30,000 people in southeast Georgia’s three hardest hit counties will soon get enhanced protection from wildfires. Special grants are being used to fund the needed equipment and resources at seven fire departments most affected by last spring’s destructive fires.
Brantley, Clinch and Echols Counties will each be given $15,000 for a total investment of $105,000 as part of a 50/50 fund matching program.
“Georgia’s historic spring wildfires devastated the counties of Echols, Clinch and Brantley,” said Gov. Kemp. “While the Georgia Forestry Commission and its rural fire department partners fought to contain the blazes, our fellow Georgians and many others reached out to help. The generous donations received are now being used as matching grant money to help area fire departments get the equipment needed for any future wildfire events.”
The Volunteer Fire Assistance 50/50 program provides half of the funding needed to help rural fire departments purchase firefighting vehicles and equipment. The remaining half is usually supplied by local governments, which can often pose a difficult challenge for smaller communities already dealing with tight budgets, especially in the wake of natural disasters.
It was the Georgia Forestry Commission recommendation to use the public’s wildfire donations to secure those matching funds through its partner, the Georgia Forestry Foundation.
Georgia Forestry Commission Director and State Forester Johnny Sabo also spoke following Kemp’s address.
“We know firsthand how important our rural fire departments are when wildfires move from the woods toward homes and communities,” said Sabo. “These men and women stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the Georgia Forestry Commission during these fires, and investing in their capability strengthens Georgia’s entire wildfire response.”
“Today is one of the great examples in our state where the state, the local forestry commission, the local fire departments, representatives and our local community have all pulled togather,” said Brantley County Manager Joey Cason. “This is a major issue for our fire departments because they are funded by a 1.25% tax on our districts. All of them will now have equipment come out of this that they don’t currently have. This is a funding source that’s going to be a real blessing for Brantley County.”
Cason also said there were approximately 50 families or residents of Brantley County who lost their homes and were still living out of RVs. About 10 families have been moved into mobile homes sourced from donations by volunteer organizations. The effort to rehome those displaced by the fires is still an ongoing process.
Kemp himself acknowledged that recovery takes time, saying, “These things are devastating. We know that and we know there are long recoveries that are really tough on these peopie and we’re doing everything we can.
“We have the Geogia Emergency Managemant Agency (EMA) working with our federal partners to get people assistance where they qualify, and we’ll continue to do that. That’s why we wanted to come back today, to remind people we didn’t forget this fire happened.”
Following the press conference, Chris Carter, Chief Ranger of Brantley County presented a special plaque to Governor Kemp. The plaque was made from a round cut from one of the trees caught in the spring wildfires. Forestry Public Relations Director Wendy Burnett had it engaved in Macon.
The plaque bears the Georgia Forestry Commission seal and reads: “Governor Brian Kemp - In recognition for your outstanding leadership during Georgia’s Spring 2026 Wildfires.”
For more information about the Volunteer Fire Assistance 50/50 Grant program and services of the Georgia Forestry Commission, visit GaTrees.org.
Portions of this article were sourced from a Georgia Forestry Commission press release.
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