Funds Assist With Purchase of
Wildland Firefighting Equipment for Rural Fire Departments
The New York State Department
of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is now accepting applications for
$976,622 in Volunteer Fire Assistance grant funding to help rural fire
departments protect public safety and natural resources. The application
deadline is Nov. 15.
"When wildfires break
out in different parts of the State, DEC's Forest Rangers are often
joined by members of volunteer fire departments," said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. "This grant program
bolsters the local capacity to fight wildland fires, so firefighters can
protect their family, friends, and neighbors, and their surrounding
communities."
The Volunteer Fire Assistance
grant program is funded by the U.S. Forest Service and administered by
DEC Forest Rangers. Fire departments will receive 50/50 matching funds up
to $2,500, a $1,000 increase from last year. In 2022, the program
provided $1,500 grants to 444 fire departments.
Only expenses directly
related to wildland firefighting suppression efforts are eligible for
funding. These include the purchase of portable pumps, portable backpack
pumps, hand tools, fire hose, approved lightweight fire-resistant
clothing, hard hats, turnout gear, portable radios, generators, and dry
hydrants. Expenditures not directly related to firefighting, such as
search and rescue, acquisition of land, construction of buildings and
facilities, major apparatus purchases, and maintenance items are not
eligible for funding.
Eligible fire departments:
·
those that serve a single town with a
population under 10,000;
·
those that serve multiple communities,
one of which is a rural town of less than 10,000 residents; and
·
fire departments in towns with a
population of 10,000 or more that meet the application requirements.
Fire departments that receive
a grant award must complete all required grant paperwork.
For applications and additional information about the
grant program, visit the DEC website, contact DEC at
518-402-8839, or write to NYSDEC, Division of Forest Protection, 625
Broadway 3rd Floor, Albany, NY 12233-2560.
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