NASF is a non-profit organization that represents the directors of all 50 state forestry agencies, the eight U.S. territories (American Samoa, the Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, the Northern Marianas Islands, Palau, Puerto Rico, Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands), and the District of Columbia.

Though primarily responsible for forests on state and privately owned lands, State Foresters continually work with their partners in federal agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service (USFS). State Foresters deliver a number of USFS programs aimed at assisting private landowners in managing their forested lands as well as protecting those lands from insects, fire and disease.

Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) is a federal grant program that provides funds for fire equipment, training, and initial fire department organization to fire departments serving small communities under 10,000 in population. VFA grants are administered directly through State agencies -- not through NASF. To apply for a VFA grant, contact your State Forester (http://www.stateforesters.org/about_nasf).

For more information, visit http://www.fs.fed.us/fire/partners/vfa/faqvfa.html