News

Ohio Rural Fire Departments receive funding

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) has approved federal grant funding for rural fire departments.

The $177,500 in matching grant funds will support 26 fire departments and 17 fire associations serving communities with populations under 10,000. The grants are used to upgrade equipment at existing fire departments and to assist new departments with organizational, training and equipment costs.

“It is imperative that we offer these grants to local fire departments so they can continue their fire protection efforts in Ohio’s wildlands and rural areas,” said Robert Boyles, deputy director, state forester and chief of the ODNR Division of Forestry. “We are committed to helping keep our local firefighters safe as they risk their lives to protect their neighbors and communities.”

Out of Ohio’s nearly 1,300 fire departments, approximately 900 are classified as rural and primarily staffed by volunteers.