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.”

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