Department of interior DOI , office of wildland fire OWF - slip-on tanker units - 2025

The Department of Interior's Office of Wildland Fire awarded a Project Grant totaling $131,287.95 to the Rossville Volunteer Fire Department on September 3, 2025, under the Department of Interior Wildfire Management - Preparedness program (CFDA 15.088). This award funds the acquisition of slip-on tanker units—specialized equipment that enables rapid conversion of existing vehicles into operational fire engines for wildland firefighting response. The funded equipment will be installed and operational in Rossville, South Carolina, with a completion deadline of September 2, 2026.

This award is part of a broader pilot program authorized by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to strengthen local wildland firefighting capabilities in response to escalating wildfire threats driven by climate change. The slip-on tanker units funded through this program meet specific technical specifications including minimum pump capacity and water tank volume requirements, enabling communities to establish vehicle fleets capable of rapid emergency deployment. No cost-sharing or matching requirements apply to this award, and recipients are responsible for identifying qualified vendors and managing procurement timelines from award notification through final installation.