DCNR Now Accepting Applications From Volunteer Fire Companies For Grants To Battle Wildfires

On April 6, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced it is now accepting grant applications from volunteer fire companies to help them battle wildfires.  Applications are due May 21.

Local firefighting forces in rural areas or communities with fewer than 10,000 residents qualify for the aid, which is used for training and equipment purchases directly related to fighting brush and forest fires. 

“Now, more than ever, Pennsylvania’s volunteer firefighters and first-responders deserve the very best training and equipment, and these grants help them obtain both,” said Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. “Spring’s warming temperatures, sunny days, and strong winds all combine to usher in wildfire dangers that emphasize the value of having well-trained and well-equipped local firefighting forces in rural areas.” 

“Very different from fighting a home or building fire, wildfire fighting requires specialized training and equipment,” said State Fire Commissioner Bruce Trego. “During these challenging times, these grants ensure the men and women doing the work have what they need to do their job safely while protecting their communities.”

In reviewing applications, priority will be placed on projects that include the purchase of wildfire suppression equipment and protective clothing.

Grants also may be used for purchasing mobile or portable radios, installing dry hydrants, wildfire prevention and mitigation work, training wildfire fighters, or converting and maintaining federal excess vehicles.

These vehicles are presented to the local departments exhibiting the greatest needs and those that commit to outfitting them for fire suppression.

Also, grants now can be used to purchase new/used 4X4 vehicles which will be utilized as a Type 6 or 7 Wildland Engine, and costing $40,000 or less.

Aid is granted on a cost-share basis. Grants for any project during a fiscal year cannot exceed 50 percent of the actual expenditures of local, public, and private nonprofit organizations in the agreement.

The maximum grant that will be considered from any fire company in 2020 is $10,000. 

The grant program, offered through DCNR and paid through federal grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, has awarded more than $13 million since it began in 1982. 

Click Here for all the details.

For more information on state parks and forests and recreation in Pennsylvania, visit DCNR’s website, Click Here to sign up for the Resource newsletter, Visit the Good Natured DCNR Blog,  Click Here for upcoming events, Click Here to hook up with DCNR on other social media-- Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.

Related Article:

DCNR: Wildfire Vigilance Especially Needed During Spring Season

NewsClips:

Click Here For A Week’s Worth Of Political NewsClips

Click Here For PA Coronavirus NewsClips

Click Here For A Week’s Worth Of Environment & Energy NewsClips

Support Local Journalism!

Related Articles: Forestry - Land Conservation:

Analysis: Conservative Republicans Want To Freeze Funding To Help PA’s Economy Recover, Support For Local Parks, Trails, Farm Conservation, Mine Reclamation, Recycling

72 DEP And 9 DCNR Employees Will Not Longer Be Paid After April 10

PA Forestry Assn.: Family Forest Carbon Pilot Program Launched In PA

Foundation For Sustainable Forests Virtual Wildflower Walk April 26; Update On Loving The Land Conference

DCNR, Partners Announces Riparian Forest Webinar Series; PA Clean Water Academy Posts Buffer Webinars

PA Land Trust Association Adds New Topics To April Webinar Series

ClearWater Conservancy Conserves Crucial Bat Habitat In Blair County

Natural Lands Preserves 54-Acre Castle Rock Farm In Chester County

Call For Presentations: Eastern PA Greenways & Trails Summit Sept. 27-29

PA Parks & Forests Foundation Issues Special Newsletter, Opens COVID-19 Blog Page

April 10 Take Five Fridays With Pam, PA Parks & Forests Foundation

Latest Forests For The Chesapeake Bay Newsletter Now Available

Marcus Schneck: DCNR, Fish & Boat Commission Can’t, Won’t Enforce Stay At Home Order For Hikers, Anglers

DelVal Outdoors, A New Source For Conservation & Recreation Info In The Delaware Valley

[Posted: April 6, 2020]


4/13/2020

Go To Preceding Article     Go To Next Article

Return to This PA Environment Digest's Main Page