The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Tuesday awarded $646,891 in U.S. Forest Service Grants to 132 local volunteer fire companies that help fight wildfires across the state in recognition of Fire Prevention Week.

 “Across the state, these funds will benefit 132 volunteer fire companies serving rural areas and communities where forest and brush fires are common,” DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn said. “To appreciate the value of well-equipped and highly trained wildfire fighters, one only has to look outside Pennsylvania to the horrific fires that sometimes plague other states.”

Speaking to community volunteer and Bureau of Forestry firefighters gathered at Lower Swatara Fire Department headquarters, acting state Fire Commissioner Bruce Trego praised their service to communities close to home – and many others far beyond Pennsylvania’s borders.

“The dangers associated with wildfires continue to pose a growing threat to our state’s forests and rural communities,” Trego said. “Grant programs like these are vital tools for state government to ensure volunteer firefighters get the equipment and the training they need to perform their jobs as professionally and safely as possible.”

In 2017, more than $592,000 was awarded to 129 volunteer fire companies. The grant program, offered through DCNR and paid through federal grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, has awarded more than $12.5 million since it began in 1982.

“The readiness of these men and women is demonstrated every spring and summer when they answer assistance calls coming from other states, while also responding regularly to local woodland and brush fires,” Dunn said. “These grants allow firefighters from smaller companies to concentrate more on public safety and training while easing their fiscal constraints.”

Click Here for a list of grants awarded.

To learn more about fighting wildfires, visit DCNR’s Wildfire webpage and the PA Forest Heritage Association website.  You can also visit the PA Forest Heritage Association Discovery Center in Franklin County at Caledonia State Park.  Click Here for the Association’s newsletter.

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.

(Photo: Northern Bucks Wildland Fire Crew (2016)- Video)

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[Posted: Oct. 10, 2018]

10/15/2018