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The application period is now open for the 2026 Anheuser-Busch Emergency Drinking Water for Wildland Firefighters Program, which provides critical
hydration support to volunteer fire departments preparing for wildfire response and extended emergency operations. Through this program, Anheuser-Busch and its wholesaler partners, in partnership with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), will distribute
1.5 million cans of emergency drinking water to eligible volunteer fire departments across the United States.
Fire departments in the U.S. are encouraged to apply if they are more than 50% volunteer, serve a population of 25,000 or less, and respond
to wildfires, including uncontrolled fires in forests, prairies, grasslands, brushlands, or lands sown to crops. Selected departments will receive one pallet of emergency drinking water (2,352 cans) to help keep responders hydrated during wildfire incidents
and other emergency responses.
Hydration is essential to firefighter health, safety, and performance, particularly during long incidents in extreme conditions. Since the
partnership between Anheuser-Busch and the NVFC began in 2019, nearly 12 million cans of emergency drinking water have been distributed to volunteer fire departments across the U.S.
“These water donations help keep volunteer firefighters safe and healthy during active incidents while reducing the financial strain on departments
with limited resources,” said NVFC Chair Steve Hirsch. “We’re grateful to Anheuser-Busch for its continued commitment to providing first responders with the essential resources needed to protect their communities.”
Anheuser-Busch has a longstanding tradition of providing support for disaster relief efforts, dating back to 1906. Each year, the nation’s
top brewer periodically pauses beer production to produce emergency drinking water for communities impacted by or preparing for disaster and, since the inception of its Emergency Drinking Water initiative in 1988, has donated more than 100 million cans of
clean, safe drinking water for communities in need.
“Showing up for our communities is who we are at Anheuser-Busch, and our partnership with the National Volunteer Fire Council reflects our
deep gratitude for the first responders who work every day to keep them safe,” said Colleen Lucas, Vice President of Community Impact at Anheuser-Busch. “Over the years, we’ve seen firsthand how something as simple as a can of water can make all the difference
and we’re proud to use our manufacturing expertise to do our part in supporting these local heroes.”
The application period for the 2026 Emergency Drinking Water for Wildland Firefighters Program closes at noon Eastern Time on March
6, 2026. Departments will be notified of selection by the end of May.
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