Division of Forestry offers grant funds to local volunteer fire departments

Contact:  Lynn Brammer 502-564-4496

Frankfort, Ky. (April 8, 2008) -- The Kentucky Division of Forestry is accepting grant applications for the 2008 Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) Grant Program. The program seeks to improve the capability and effectiveness of Kentucky’s rural volunteer fire departments to protect lives and property. This is accomplished through organizing, training and equipping local firefighters for fire protection in rural areas with communities of 10,000 persons or less.

Grant funding amounts to be awarded range from $1,000 to $5,000 and will be administered through a 50/50 cost-share reimbursement system.  Eligible items that can be purchased with grant funds include training material, Nomex® clothing, pump hoses, tanks, fire shelters, small fire suppression equipment and personal protective equipment. 

Additional details on the types of projects, along with application forms and proposal instructions, are available in the VFA grant information package located on the division’s Web page,  http://www.forestry.ky.gov/programs/firemanage/Volunteer+Fire+Assistance.htm.

Grant proposals must be received in the Frankfort office of the Kentucky Division of Forestry by 4:30 p.m. EDT on June 16.  For additional information, please contact the division at 800-866-0555.