The Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced today that the agency will award more than a $500,000 this fall, through the Wildland Fire Assistance Grant Program, to fire districts and city fire departments.
This DNR program administers funding provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
“Rural fire districts and departments are often the first responders to a wildfire,” Doug Sutherland, Commissioner of Public Lands, said. “Their actions can make the difference in containing and keeping fires small.
This helps conserve resources and keeps costs down. These grant funds help fire districts and departments in rural communities get the equipment and training necessary to battle wildfires in partnership with state and federal firefighters.”
The Wildland Fire Assistance Grant Program is open to all fire districts and fire departments serving communities less than 10,000 residents.
Fire districts and fire departments serving communities with more than 10,000 residents may qualify, providing their service area includes a rural area or rural community with a population of less than 10,000.
The application deadline is October 31, 2007.
Funding can be used for such things as refurbishing vehicles obtained through the Firefighter Property Program, fire equipment, fire prevention, training, clothing, equipment, and some communication devices.
Interested districts can find detailed information, including downloadable applications, on the DNR website at: http://www.dnr.wa.gov/htdocs/rp/fdap/index.html.
DNR is responsible for preventing and fighting wildfires on 12.7 million acres of private and state-owned forestland.
Reader Comments(0)