Burns: Small, rural communities eligible for fire department grants
Up to $10,000 in aid could be available
Rep. Frank Burns February 19, 2019 | 12:44 PM
EBENSBURG, Feb. 19 – Rural or volunteer fire departments serving communities with fewer than 10,000 people should consider applying for state grants with an application window that runs from Feb. 26 through May 2, said state Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria.
“As these grants are designed to help unprotected or inadequately protected rural areas, this program is a natural fit for many of our communities,” Burns said. “It should be of particular interest to our small and rural areas – and my office stands ready to help with applications.”
The Volunteer Fire Assistance Grants, awarded through the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, are for a maximum $10,000 and can be used for:
- Wildfire protective gear.
- Mobile or portable radios.
- Installing dry hydrants.
- Wildfire prevention and mitigation.
- Wildfire training.
- Certain projects involving converting and maintaining federal excess vehicles received from the DCNR Bureau of Forestry and used for fire suppression.
Burns said a priority will be placed on projects that include purchasing wildland fire suppression equipment and wildland fire protective gear. Priority also will be given to fire companies which have established goals and objectives, and have developed plans to meet them.
Brittany Blackham, who is available in Burns’ Portage office at (814) 736-7339, serves as an in-house grant writer and can assist with letters of recommendation and actual grant applications.
Additional information on these grants is available at: https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/Communities/Wildfire/VolunteerFireDepartmentResources/Pages/default.aspx