Rural Pa. fire department eligible for training, equipment grants

GREENVILLE, Pa.

State Sen. Robert Robbins, R-50th, is encouraging volunteer fire companies serving rural areas and communities with fewer than 10,000 residents and where forest and brush fires are common to apply for grants of up to $7,500 for training and equipment purchases directly related to fighting brush and forest fires.

Funds from the Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant Program, administered by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, may be used for purchasing mobile or portable radios, installing dry hydrants, performing wildfire prevention and mitigation work, training wildfire fighters, or converting and maintaining federal excess vehicles to be used for fire suppression. DCNR is giving priority to requests for projects that include the purchase of wildfire suppression equipment and protective clothing.

Grant applications must be electronically submitted through DCNR’s eGrant web page by 4 p.m. May 23. Applicants should visit www.dcnr.state.pa.us and click on “Apply for Grants.”