Oklahoma Forestry Services announced approximately $400,000 is currently available to rural fire departments serving communities of less than 10,000 in population through a competitive grant process.
“This Rural Fire 80/20 Reimbursement Grant provides financial assistance to rural fire departments,” said Secretary of Agriculture Jim Reese. “Funds can be used to purchase firefighting or communications equipment or build or improve a fire station.”
This program is funded by the Oklahoma Legislature and authorized by Governor Fallin. Applications must be submitted through one of Oklahoma’s Rural Fire Coordinators by October 1, 2012 and are available at
www.forestry.ok.gov/firegrants.
Successful grant recipients will be notified on or about November 1st. Following official notification, fire departments can make eligible purchases and submit receipts for 80 percent reimbursement.
“We want to encourage rural fire departments to apply for these grants to improve their wildland firefighting capabilities,” said State Forester George Geissler. “It is especially important for all fire departments to review their radio systems for compliance with new FCC requirements which go into effect in January 2013. Ensuring rural fire departments’ radio capability will be a priority for this year’s grant process.”
For more information, contact Rural Fire Coordinators or OFS Rural Fire Staff Forester Gary Williams at 800-517-3673 or 405-288-2385.
