Federal Grants Strengthen War and Welch Volunteer Fire Departments
Two McDowell County volunteer fire departments have received significant FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant awards, providing new resources for equipment and training. The funding joins a statewide package that aims to bolster volunteer emergency services, a vital support for local safety and emergency response capacity.
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Federal emergency preparedness grants announced in November 2025 have named two McDowell County fire departments among recipients, bringing more than $260,000 to local volunteer firefighting capacity. The War Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. received $139,469 and the Welch Volunteer Fire Department received $122,142.85 under the FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant program, according to reporting first published by the Bluefield Daily Telegraph and republished on the FireRescue1 website on November 6, 2025.
The awards are part of a broader round of funding for West Virginia that includes 27 volunteer fire departments and two city governments. The Assistance to Firefighters Grant program is designed to support equipment purchases and training efforts for departments that often operate on tight budgets and rely heavily on volunteers. Senator Shelley Moore Capito highlighted the AFG awards, noting their role in providing resources so local first responders have the equipment and training needed to save lives.
For McDowell County, where volunteer departments serve dispersed communities and respond to incidents ranging from structure fires to vehicle crashes and medical assists, the grants represent a practical investment in public safety. Local departments contend with aging apparatus, limited operating budgets, and recruitment challenges. Federal grant support can help address those gaps without adding immediate financial burden to county taxpayers.
The War Volunteer Fire Department and the Welch Volunteer Fire Department will be eligible to apply the awards to eligible purchases and training as defined by the AFG program. While the specific acquisitions have not been detailed in the republished account, AFG funding typically supports protective gear, radios, breathing apparatus, turnout gear, training courses, and other tools that directly affect firefighter safety and response capability. For small volunteer forces, even modest equipment upgrades can translate into faster, safer operations at emergency scenes.
Statewide, the round of awards underscores continued federal investment in rural and small town emergency services across West Virginia. The inclusion of two city governments alongside 27 volunteer departments reflects the diversity of agencies that depend on federal support to meet national standards and community expectations. For McDowell County residents, improved equipment and training can reduce response times, increase firefighter safety, and enhance overall resilience during emergencies.
Local officials and department leaders are expected to work through the formal grant acceptance and procurement processes in the coming weeks and months. As those steps proceed, community members who rely on volunteer responders will benefit from strengthened capabilities and renewed federal support for frontline services in a county where such resources are essential to daily life.
