Article Submitted
Funding has been awarded for this year’s Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA)grants. 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 capacity to suppress wildfires and structural fires safely and 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 has been distributed to rural fire departments to help them increase the safety of their fiefighters and provide them with much needed firefighting equipment.
Shelby Community Fire Department received a grant to help purchase the following:
7 Wildland Coats/Pants
2 Helmets
2 Gauntlet Gloves
2 Leather Gloves
2 Double Layer Hoods
2 Coats/Pants
Total Spent: $14,747.00
MDC 50/50 Match: $7,273.50
Ben Webster
Fire Program Supervisor
Missouri Department of Conservation
