SCHELL RECEIVES CONSERVATION GRANT CHECK

SCHELL RECEIVES  CONSERVATION GRANT CHECK – It is that time of year again where local fire departments are receiving grant checks from the Conservation department.  The intent of the grant program is to organize, train, and equip fire protection units in rural areas for the purpose of saving lives, protecting property, and suppressing wildland fires.  Each fire department is eligible to receive  a check for 50% of approved purchases with a max reimbursement of $4,000.  Highest priority is given to those fire departments filling needs for wildland personal protective equipment and communications equipment.  Assistant Fire Chief Tom Haddix received the check for $5,306 from Billy Newenschwander, MDC Frestr Crew Leader.

During July and August, matching funds grant checks for rural fire departments are being distributed by the Missouri Department of Conservation, Forestry Division staff.  One hundred seventy-four (174) fire departments are receiving checks for up to $4,000 to help with the purchase of personal protective gear, communications equipment and wildfire suppression equipment to help increase the fire departments capacity to suppress wildfires safely and efficiently. The total funding awarded to Missouri fire departments through the matching funds grant program this year is $389,603.56.  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 $8 million has been distributed to rural fire departments to help them increase the safety of their firefighters and provide them with better firefighting equipment.