For Release: Wednesday, April 29, 2009
DEC Accepting Applications for Volunteer Fire Assistance Grants
Funds Available to Assist Rural Fire Departments
Applications are now being accepted for Volunteer Fire Assistance grants, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis announced today. The grants provide funding to rural fire departments to enhance their wildfire fighting capabilities.
"Fire departments in rural areas are the backbone of fire protection for thousands of New Yorkers and millions of acres of forested lands," Commissioner Grannis said. "Rural fire departments work with DEC Rangers to fight wildfires that threaten our natural resources, and these grants will help them prepare for the unique demands of this kind of fire fighting."
The grant program is funded by the U.S. Forest Service and administered by DEC. Last year, the program allocated $365,000, providing $1,000 grants to 365 fire departments. A reduced level of federal funding is expected for 2009.
The deadline for applications is May 31. Only expenses directly related to fire suppression are eligible for funding. These include the purchase of portable pumps, portable backpack pumps, hand tools, hoses, light-weight fireproof clothing (Nomex), hard hats, turnout gear, portable radios, generators and dry hydrants. Expenditures not directly related to firefighting, such as acquisition of land, construction of buildings and facilities, major apparatus purchases and maintenance items are not eligible for funding.
Eligibility requirements were changed in 2002. Fire departments in towns with populations of 10,000 or more now may be eligible if they meet the requirements listed on the application. Fire departments must provide half the cost of the project being funded. All funded projects should be completed by October 30.
Priority will be given to applications from fire departments in towns where there is a high Insurance Services Office rating and that serve inadequately protected rural communities. Preference also will be given to fire departments that have not received funding in the past five years under the Volunteer Fire Assistance/Rural Community Fire Protection Program.
For applications or further information about the grant program, you can contact DEC at (518) 402-8839, write to NYSDEC, Division of Forest Protection, 625 Broadway 8th Floor, Albany, New York, 12233-2560 or visit the DEC website at the address above, click on the subject index then click on Forest Rangers.
