Submitted by Ben Webster, Fire Program Supervisor, Missouri Department of Conservation
Funding has been awarded for this year’s Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) Grants.
EDINA RURAL FIRE DEPARTMENT will receive a matching grant of $4,610.00 to purchase $9,220.00 worth of the following equipment: (3) Minitor VI Pagers, (2) Rocky Boots, (2) Hoods, (2) Gloves, (2) Globe Excel Coats, (2) Ballard Helmets, ad (2) GPS Pants.
BARING FIRE DEPARTMENT will receive $2,358.93 to purchase $4,717.86 worth of the following equipment: a Hose Adapter, Gas Powered Saw, Battery Powered Saw, (2) 14” Saw Blades, and (4) 9” Saw Blades.
NEWARK RURAL FIRE DEPARTMENT will receive $461.00 to purchase $922.00 worth the following equipment: Antenna/Power Cord, (12) Batteries and (8) Batteries.
RUTLEDGE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT will receive $2,796.25 to purchase $5,592.50 worth of equipment: (4) Mobile Radios, (2) ICOM Radios and Chargers, (1) Siren and Speakers, (2) Leather Gloves, (1) Boots.
WESTERN LEWIS COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DEPARTMENT will receive $10,000.00 to purchase $20,007.00 worth of equipment: (2) Leaf Blowers, (1) Dual Band M0bile Radio Moswin Compatible, (4) Stream Light Flashlights w/Chargers, (5) Helmets, (3) Vulcan Lights w/Chargers, (5) Headlamps, (3) Warwood Toll ADZE Hoes, (2) Axe Tools, (5) 2.5×50’ Double Jacket Hoses, (1) Smooth Bore Nozzle, (2) Bunker Gear Coats/Pants, (4) Leather Boots, and (20) Rescue Gloves.
One hundred and thirty-three (133) fire departments will receive reimbursement of up to $10,000 to assist with the purchase of personal protective equipment, communications equipment, and wildland/structural fire suppression equipment to help increase the fire departments efficiently. The total funding awarded to Missouri fire departments through the matching funds grant program this year is $704,201.22. Fire departments are required to match 50% of the funds which are provided by the Missouri Department of Conservation and the US Forest Service, Volunteer Fire Assistance Program. Throughout the last 30 years, over $10 million dollars has been distributed to rural fire departments to help them increase the safety of their firefighters and provide them with much needed firefighting equipment.
