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| The Wildland Fire Assistance grants provide substantial relief and pay half the cost of the new equipment |
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced recently that the agency will award grants this fall to eligible fire districts and departments through the Wildland Fire Assistance Grant Program that is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The Wildland Fire Assistance grants pay half the cost of new equipment, providing substantial relief for fire districts during these challenging economic times.
In Washington State, DNR administers the Wildland Fire Assistance Grant Program, which is open to all fire districts and fire departments serving communities of 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 28, 2011.
Beginning this year, DNR will prioritise grants from fire districts or departments that protect identified Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) high risk communities or communities that are within high and moderate -risk areas identified in the recently completed Statewide Forest Resource Assessment and Strategy.
Fire districts and departments with communities in low-risk areas may apply, but will be considered after high and moderate requests have been met.
Priority projects are:
- Replacing federal excess property (FEPP) generators with new generators or refurbished generators acquired under the Firefighter Property Program.
- Replacing FEPP vehicles by refurbishing vehicles acquired under the Firefighter Property Program.
- Communications, personal protection equipment, and fire equipment not provided under Phase I.
- Wildland training.
- New wildland engine purchase.
- Dry hydrants.
