Banner Elk Volunteer Fire Department

Banner Elk Volunteer Fire Department, a U.S. local government entity based in Banner Elk, North Carolina, is a federal grant recipient focused on emergency response and firefighter support, operating as a prime recipient on two FEMA grants and as a sub-recipient on a third. The organization does not hold federal contracts and does not compete on contract vehicles; its federal footprint is limited to grant awards from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Banner Elk VFD's recent federal work centers on two FEMA grant programs. As prime recipient, the organization received a $190,000 Project Grant under the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program (CFDA 97.044) awarded August 7, 2024, running through August 6, 2026, to support the purchase of critical infrastructure, equipment, training programs, and health and wellness initiatives for the fire department. The organization also received a $138,000 Project Grant under the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Program awarded July 25, 2023, extending through July 24, 2027, to enhance staffing and deployment capabilities. In its sub-recipient role, Banner Elk VFD was awarded equipment funding (Award Date September 21, 2025) under a sub-grant from the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, the prime grantee.

FEMA remains the sole customer agency across all three awards, accounting for 100% of the organization's federal award footprint. Total dollars obligated across all awards amount to $824 thousand, with activity running at one award per year over the past three years. No recompete exposure emerges from the grant award dates and ultimate completion windows provided.