Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) grants totaling more than $297,000 were recently distributed to 71 rural and volunteer fire departments around Indiana.
Department of Natural Resources Director Cameron Clark announced the grants are administered by the DNR Division of Forestry and are made available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service.
Department of Natural Resources Director Cameron Clark announced the grants are administered by the DNR Division of Forestry and are made available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Officials report that DNR Forestry staff reviewed grant applications and selected recipients on the basis of population density, acres of public wildlands protected, and wildland fire reported to DNR Fire Control Headquarters.
The grant money can be utilized for training, to purchase necessary firefighting equipment and gear to combat wildland fires or for the installation of dry hydrants.
There were some nearby fire departments that benefited from the grants.
In Pulaski County, the Monterey and Tippecanoe Volunteer Fire Department was awarded a grant worth $4,999. In St. Joseph County, Liberty Township’s Department received $5,000 and the Walkerton Fire Department was awarded a $4,683 grant.
Additionally, the La Crosse and Noble Township Volunteer Fire Departments in LaPorte County were each awarded $5,000.
Fire departments that are interested in applying for future VFA grants should contact Assistant State Fire Coordinator Mark Huter by calling 765-792-4654 or by sending correspondence to Fire Control Headquarters at 6620 Forest Road, Martinsville, IN 46151.
