April 28, 2008
Nebraska Forest Service Announces Grant Recipients
LINCOLN, Neb. — The Nebraska Forest Service is awarding Volunteer Fire Assistance grants worth $218,110 to 92 Nebraska communities.
According to Don Westover, wildland fire program leader with the Nebraska Forest Service, fire districts may apply for up to 50 percent of their project's cost and must be able to match the award with local funds.
With local matching dollars, the total value of all 2008 grant projects is $872,596.
The grants can be used by local fire districts to purchase various types of materials and equipment that increase their ability to safely and effectively respond to fires and educate their community about the importance of fire prevention.
This year's grant funds will be used to purchase fire prevention materials, protective clothing, smoke detectors, radios and skid units, which are modules containing a pump, hose and tank that are slipped into a truck to equip it for firefighting.
The grants come to the Nebraska Forest Service through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service's Volunteer Fire Assistance Program. In the last 30 years, nearly all of Nebraska's 476 local fire districts have received funds through this program.
During the last five years, the Nebraska Forest Service has distributed more than $892,000 through the Volunteer Fire Assistance grant program.
4/28/08-BE Donald E. Westover
Nebraska Forest Service Forester (402) 472-6629
 
Becky Erdkamp Education & Outreach Specialist (402) 472-9869
Department:
Nebraska Forest Service
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