Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) foresters are delivering matching funds grant checks through August to rural fire departments.
One hundred eighty fire departments across Missouri will receive checks of up to $3,000 to help with the purchase of personal protective gear and firefighting equipment that will aid in the fight to protect against wildfire and structure fires.
The total funding for fire department matching grants this year is $378,264 according to Forestry Regional Supervisor Terry Truttmann of the MDC’s Ozark region. Truttmann said fire departments are required to match these funds which are provided by the U.S. Forest Service and the Missouri Department of Conservation.
“These grants are one way the Conservation Department works with communities to improve the economy and quality of life,” Truttmann said. “We certainly want to put every effort possible into guarding against the threat of wildfire.”
During the last 28 years, nearly $6,282,693 has been distributed to rural fire departments to help them increase the safety of their firefighters and provide them with better firefighting equpment.
Douglas County fire departments reciving matching funds checks this year were E-76-EE, Skyline and Squires.
Doug Hutchison (left), chief of the Skyline Fire Department, accepts a check from Zach Slagle, resource assistant for MDC.
David Young (right), chief of the Squires Fire Department, accepts a check from Zach Slagle, resource assistant for MDC.
Homer Thrasher (left), board treasurer for E-76-EE Fire Department, accepts a check from Zach Slagle, resource assistant for MDC.
