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LOCAL FIRE PROTECTION GRANT FUNDING AVAILABLE

Missoula, MT---The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) announced today that applications for the 2010 VFA/RFA Grant Program are now being accepted. Applications for matching funds through the federally funded Title II & IV, Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) program (U.S. Forest Service) and the Rural Fire Assistance (RFA) program (U.S. Department of Interior agencies - Bureau of Land Management, Fish & Wildlife Service, National Park Service and Bureau of Indian Affairs) are due March 31, 2010. The cost share money is being made available to defray up to ninety percent of the cost of improving local wildland fire protection.

According to Doug Williams, Rural Fire Coordinator with DNRC's Forestry Division, single applications representing countywide fire organizations are required. Eligible applicants to be included are: fire departments, rural fire districts, fire service areas, volunteer fire companies or other government fire service organizations in communities with populations of 10,000 or less. The maximum grant amount for a single applicant is $20,000. The single applications for a group of communities, i.e., countywide fire councils, countywide fire departments, etc., may have a total population of over 10,000. Emphasis will be placed on training, PPE and communications. Construction or improvement of fire stations for housing fire equipment, normal operational expenses and maintenance do not qualify for VFA/RFA funds.

Grant funds thru this program go directly to local fire organizations to upgrade needed training, equipment, and protective clothing in the suppression of wildland fire in Montana.

Details are available by contacting your local DNRC office, or on the Internet at: www.dnrc.mt.gov/forestry/Fire