Ten local rural fire departments were recently awarded wildland fire suppression kits from the Rural Fire Protection Program (RFP), managed by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Forestry Division.
Local departments receiving the kits include in Baxter County, 101 Gamaliel, Clarkridge and Midway; Peel in Marion County; Oxford and Pineville in Izard County; Leslie and Witts Springs in Searcy County; and 6th District and Mountain View in Stone County.
In total, 87 wildland fire suppression kits to rural fire departments across 46 counties in Arkansas were awarded. The RFP received $303,904.30 through the Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant from the United States Forest Service to purchase the kits.
According to the Arkansas Department of Agriculture, volunteer fire departments are the primary partner to Forestry Division crews in wildfire response and suppression, but are often in need of specialized equipment and gear necessary for safe wildfire suppression. Since 2014, more than 757 wildland fire suppression kits have been distributed to volunteer fire departments throughout the state.
The necessary equipment and gear in the kits include lightweight wildfire-resistant coveralls, gloves, rakes and leaf blowers.
Volunteer fire departments interested in participating in the program must submit an application to the RFP. The applications are scored according to specific criteria including fire district population, the size of the response area, wildfire equipment response needs, and other factors. The next application period is expected to begin in August 2024.
Fire departments should receive an application by mail, or they can be found at agriculture.arkansas.gov/forestry/rural-fire-protection-program/ when the application period opens.
For more information, fire departments should contact Kathryn Mahan-Hooten at kathryn.mahan@agriculture.arkansas.gov or (501) 679-3183.
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