Department of Natural Resources Hands Out Small Grants To Rural Fire Departments

Kennicott/McCarthy, Kenny Lake, Gakona, and Glenn Rich Fire Departments All Received Up to $6,000 For Fire Safety Improvements 

Local volunteer fire truck in 4th of July Parade. (Photo, Country Journal) 

Notice From State Of Alaska Department Of Natural Resources 

April 19th, 2023:  (Palmer, AK) – Today, the Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection announced awarding more than $171,000 to 32 rural fire departments across Alaska. The Volunteer Fire Assistance grants are provided to increase firefighter safety, improve the firefighting capabilities of rural volunteer fire departments, and enhance protection in the wildland-urban interface for Alaskans.

Funding for the grants came from the U.S. Forest Service as a part of the federal Volunteer Fire Assistance program. Alaska’s rural fire departments will receive between $2,500 - $6,000 to support training, equipment purchases, and prevention activities through a cost share.

“Local fire departments are critical in helping the Division of Forestry and Fire Protection accomplish its mission of protecting Alaskans from wildfire,” said Chief of Fire & Aviation Norm McDonald. “These funds will help ensure that local partners at rural fire departments are better equipped to fight both structure and wildland fires.”

Fire departments can use the funds to purchase portable water tanks, personal protective equipment, firefighting pumps, replace old equipment like hose and nozzles, tools, and other resources used to help fight both structure and wildland fire. To qualify for the grants, fire departments must serve a population of 10,000 or less, be a registered fire department with the Alaska State Fire Marshall, and provide a minimum of 10% non-federal matching funds.

The grant application period runs from Nov. 1 to Jan. 31 annually. For this year’s Volunteer Fire Assistance program, the maximum grant was raised to $6,000 (up from $5,000) to account for increased costs – especially shipping to rural Alaska. A list of the fire departments and grants is included at the end of this release.