JEFFERSON CITY — Sen. Gary Romine, R-Farmington, is encouraging fire departments located in the 3rd Senate District, which includes the counties of Iron, Reynolds, St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve, Washington and Jefferson, to submit their applications for the 2016 Volunteer Fire Assistance Matching Grant Program. Funding for the program is provided by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and the US Forest Service.
“Approximately $400,000 in funds are made available each year to assist our rural fire departments in purchasing the wildfire suppression equipment they need, but would not otherwise be able to afford,” said Sen. Romine. “This program, which complements MDC’s Excess Equipment Program, can be used to purchase everything from radios to chainsaws and hoses. I strongly encourage all fire departments in the 3rd District to apply.”
In order to qualify, fire departments must serve a population of 10,000 or fewer and match every dollar they're granted. The maximum amount available is $3,000. If the fire department has a complete, MDC-approved Community Wildfire Protection Plan, it can access an additional $1,000 in matching funds.
“Our firefighters willingly risk their lives on a daily basis. We must do what we can to ensure they have the best possible equipment in order to give them the best possible chance of success,” Sen. Romine said. “I applaud MDC for distributing more than $7.5 million to Missouri’s rural fire departments over the last 30 years.”
While applicants can also apply for equipment to fight structure fires, preference will be given to those applying for wildfire equipment. Applications for the 2016 Volunteer Fire Assistance Matching Grant Program are being accepted through Oct. 30. Grant funds will be released to fire departments in summer 2016.
The application form and other details can be found online by clicking here or by visiting the MDC website. For more information, fire departments can also contact the Fire Program Supervisor, Ben Webster, at (573) 522-4115 x3113. |
