The Department of Fire Programs (VDFP) has worked over the last few months to craft changes to the Aid to Localities (ATL) Program Policy to ensure compliance with recent legislation mandating that fire departments report incidents to National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS) to remain eligible for ATL funding. The updated policy with new additions highlighted in yellow can be accessed here. VDFP is seeking feedback from several organizations statewide. VDFP also plana to release this publicly through their newsletter and social media.
The policy requires that VDFP run a compliance report twice a year. If a department is listed as noncompliant, they will be placed on a list provided to localities that cannot receive ATL funds. The onus would be on the locality to withhold funds to departments that appear on the list unless they actually did not run any emergency incidents during the period. If a locality willingly funds a department not in compliance, they would lose all ATL funding for the year.
This policy is expected to be adopted by the Virginia Fire Services Board on December 2 at a meeting currently slated to occur in Glen Allen at VDFP Headquarters. After this, it will go through the public guidance document process through Virginia Town Hall and will be subject to further public comment. These changes must go into effect by July 1, 2026.
Please provide feedback to the Government Affairs Division by emailing PolicyOffice@vdfp.virginia.gov by November 18, 2025.
VACo Contact: Jeremy R. Bennett