Message from Representative Lynda Schlegel Culver

​Rural Fire Assistance Grants Available for Area Stations
By Rep. Lynda Schlegel Culver (R-Northumberland/Snyder)
To assist Pennsylvania’s small, rural communities better guard against the threat of fire in forested, undeveloped and unprotected areas, applications for the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources are now available for federal grants. Applications are due by May 18.
These grants are designed to facilitate a partnership with state officials to organize, train and equip local forces in preventing, controlling and suppressing fires that have the potential to threaten human life, livestock, crops, pastures, woodlands, orchards and farmsteads.
Rural areas or communities with fewer than 10,000 residents can apply for the grants. Funding can be used for the purchase of wildfire suppression equipment, wildfire protective gear, wildfire prevention and mitigation, wildfire training, mobile or portable radios and installation of dry hydrants.
The funds may also be used for conversion and maintenance of federal surplus property vehicles. The vehicles are presented to local departments exhibiting the greatest needs and those that commit to outfitting them for fire suppression.
Financial assistance on any project during any fiscal year cannot exceed 50 percent of the actual expenditures, including those of local, public and private nonprofit organizations participating in the agreement. The maximum grant that will be considered is $7,500 ($15,000 total project) per fire company. The grants are made available in coordination with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
To expedite the application and decision-making process, DCNR is accepting only online applications for the program. For complete grant guidelines or to apply, visit www.LyndaCulver.com and click on the “DCNR Fire Assistance Grants” link.
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