NESHOBA COUNTY, MS — The House Volunteer Fire Department in Neshoba County has been awarded a $10,000 grant through the State Farm® Good Neighbor Firefighter Safety Program. Presented in collaboration with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), the funds will help the department purchase essential equipment to enhance responder safety and improve community protection.
House VFD is one of four volunteer fire departments selected in Mississippi and among 150 nationwide receiving support from the $1.5 million program this year.
Eighty-two percent of U.S. fire departments operate entirely or mostly with volunteer personnel, often working under tight budget constraints that make funding modern equipment difficult. Since its inception in 2024, the State Farm and NVFC partnership has distributed $4 million to support volunteer departments across the country.
“Volunteer firefighters are there for their communities no matter what the emergency, from structure and wildland fires to vehicle crashes and medical emergencies to natural disasters,” said NVFC Chair Steve Hirsch. “Yet many local departments lack the funding to purchase the resources and gear they need. We thank State Farm for taking action to address this need.”
“At State Farm, we are committed to helping people manage everyday risks and building safer, stronger communities,” added Rasheed Merritt, State Farm HR&D Exec-Corporate Responsibility. “We are proud to support volunteer firefighters with equipment needed to enhance safety.”
The grants, announced Aug. 18 in recognition of Volunteer Firefighters Recognition Day, allow recipient departments to acquire necessities such as personal protective gear, rescue tools, and communication devices.
In addition to funding, State Farm provided complimentary NVFC memberships to the first 2,000 grant applicants, granting local responders access to specialized training and support services.
For more information about the Good Neighbor Firefighter Safety Program, visit www.nvfc.org/statefarm.
