Virgin Islands Fire Service

Virgin Islands Fire Service, a division of the U.S. Virgin Islands government located in Christiansted, St. Croix, is a local government entity that has been registered to receive federal awards since 2006. As the territorial fire and emergency medical services division, the organization provides critical emergency response and fire protection services to the U.S. Virgin Islands. Through federal grant funding, Virgin Islands Fire Service has received support to enhance its operational capabilities, emergency preparedness, and capacity to respond to evolving threats including wildfires, hazardous materials incidents, and general emergency medical needs.

Virgin Islands Fire Service has successfully executed multiple federal grant awards spanning wildland firefighting, emergency response staffing, hazardous materials preparedness, and facility infrastructure improvements. Under the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service's State & Private Forestry Cooperative Fire Assistance program (CFDA 10.698), the organization received grants totaling at least $251,000 to acquire wildland firefighting equipment, conduct comprehensive firefighter training on fire behavior and equipment operation, support hazardous fuels reduction, implement community wildfire protection planning, and enhance fire prevention education efforts. The Federal Emergency Management Agency provided a $269,250 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant (CFDA 97.083) to support firefighting and emergency response staffing and deployment capabilities. Additionally, Virgin Islands Fire Service received hazardous materials emergency preparedness and planning grant funding from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration to develop emergency response plans under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act. As a sub-recipient under the Government of the Virgin Islands as the prime grantee, the organization has received funding for facility improvements including the Emile Henderson Wind Retrofit & Safe Room project, medical equipment purchases for emergency medical operations, temporary operational facilities, and fire station infrastructure improvements across multiple island locations including Lima Company, Tango Company, and Hotel Company facilities. These awards demonstrate Virgin Islands Fire Service's role as a critical emergency services provider receiving federal support to modernize equipment, enhance personnel capabilities, and strengthen emergency preparedness infrastructure across the territory.