Governor Tom Wolf recently announced that the application period is open for the 2017 DCNR Grant program. The DCNR (Department of Conservation and Natural Resources) awards grants to Pa volunteer fire departments who serve a rural area, or community under 10,000 residents. The grant money can be used for training and/or equipment for fighting brush and forest fires.
In 2016, $571,202 was awarded to 142 volunteer fire companies.
Per Governor Wolf’s website:
Harrisburg – More than $590,000 in grants will be awarded to help
Pennsylvania’s rural communities guard against the threat of fires in forests and
other undeveloped areas, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Secretary Ellen Ferretti announced today.
“Across Pennsylvania, 158 volunteer fire companies that serve rural areas and
communities where forest and brush fires are common will benefit from these
funds,” Ferretti 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.”
Local firefighting forces in rural areas or communities with fewer than 10,000
residents qualify for the federal aid. Last year, the grant program awarded $505,000 to 130 volunteer companies in Pennsylvania.
“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,” Ferretti said. “These federal grants allow firefighters from smaller companies to concentrate more on public safety and training while easing their fiscal constraints.”
By Teri Enciso/Gazette photo
Firefighters in the Tunnelton/Conemaugh Township Volunteer Fire Department are now using a new 2013 Rosenbauer pumper/tanker purchased with federal grant money and dollars generated by the department’s fundraising activities.
The $228,000 truck can carry 1,800 gallons of water and has a 1,000 gallon-per-minute pump.
The department has 27 members, including, left to right, Andrew Anderson, safety officer; Rick Bouch, chief; Gary Crusan, firefighter; and Ralph Crusan, first lieutenant.
