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Last updated on Monday, October 3, 2011
(UNDATED) - Seventy-three rural and volunteer fire departments from 46 counties across Indiana have been awarded more than $310,000 in Volunteer Fire Assistance grants from the Department of Natural Resources, DNR Director Robert E. Carter Jr. announced Monday.
DNR Forestry administers the grants, which are made available through the U.S. Forest Service.
DNR Forestry staff review grant applications and select recipients based on population density, acres of public wildlands protected, and wildlife fire reporting to DNR Fire Control Headquarters.
Grants can be used for training, installation of dry hydrants, or purchasing necessary firefighting equipment and personal protective gear. A dry hydrant is a device placed on a lake or pond and used to draw water for firefighting when a municipal fire hydrant system is absent. Wildlands firefighting equipment was highlighted this year.
The grants awarded range from $364 to $5,000. Local fire departments that receive grants must match the grant with cash or in-kind contributions.
Fire departments interested in applying for VFA grant opportunities should contact Crystal M. Hunt, Program Coordinator, Fire Control Headquarters, 6220 Forest Road, Martinsville, IN, 46151, or call (765) 342-4701.
Here is a list of grant recipients (by county), the amount, and the equipment to be purchased:
Dubois: Birdseye VFD, $3,570 (radios); Celestine VFD, $4,208 (safety); Dubois VFD, $2,634 (safety); Haysville Community VFD, $4,845 (safety); Madison Township VFD, $4,343 (miscellaneous).
Greene: Richland Taylor Township VFD, $4,625 (wildland).
Jackson: Grassy Fork VFD, $4,940 (water handling); Hamilton Township VFD, $1,320 (wildland); Jackson Washington Township VFD, $5,000 (safety).
Lawrence: Guthrie Township VFD, $2,500 (safety); Perry Township VFD, $4,940 (radios).
Monroe: Benton Township VFD, $4,793 (wildland); Bloomington Township VFD, $5,000 (wildland); Van Buren Township VFD, $2,280 (wildland).
Orange: Orange County RVFD No. 2, $2,500 (safety).
Spencer: Carter FD, $2,293 (wildland); Chrisney VFD, $5,000 (wildland); St. Meinrad VFD, $4,350 (wildland).
Washington: Gibson Township Little York VFD, $5,000 (safety); Salem FD, $3,000 (wildland).
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