The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Forest Service is awarding Volunteer Fire Assistance grants to 39 volunteer fire departments in 15 Maryland counties this year. DNR will grant approximately $90,000 to help provide the resources for these men and women to better fight wildfires in rural communities.
“With Volunteer Fire Assistance Grants we are able to help afford these hardworking men and women the tools and safety equipment to enhance response efforts,” said DNR State Fire Supervisor Monte Mitchell. “This funding helps to protect our natural resources, homes and property, and the lives of these selfless workers and our citizens.”
This year’s grants will help provide wildland personal protective gear, Class A foam and upgraded radio communications equipment. The funds will also go toward supplying departments with equipment for brush trucks and fire engines and other tools to enhance wildfire suppression, and replacing small diameter fire hose.
The USDA Forest Service provided grant funds to the 39 recipients for $90,021 in DNR matching funding to complete the $187,652 in total project cost. The maximum grant award equaled 50 percent of the total project cost with a maximum of $3,000 grant per department.
2014 VFA Grant Awards Recipients:
Volunteer Fire Department County Project Cost Award
Arcadia VFC Baltimore $7,375 $3,000
Baltimore Pike VFC Allegany $6,088 $3,000
Barton Hose Company # 1 Allegany $6,189 $3,000
Bedford Road VFD Allegany $3,987 $1,993
Berwyn Heights VFDRS Prince Georges $3,524 $1,762
Community VFC Bowleys Quarters Baltimore $2,273 $1,137
Cordova VFA Talbot $3,452 $1,726
Easton VFD Talbot $5,445 $2,723
Eldorado Brookview VFC Dorchester $5,977 $2,988
Ellerslie VFC Allegany $530 $265
Ferndale VFC Anne Arundel $5,614 $2,807
Funkstown VFC Washington $2,092 $1,046
Galena VFC Kent $4,279 $2,140
Gamber & Community FC Carroll $6,000 $3,000
Good Will (Lonaconing) VFC Allegany $6,470 $3,000
Grantsville VFD Garrett $1,028 $514
Hancock VFC Washington $4,795 $2,397
Hurlock VFC Dorchester $5,990 $2,995
Joppa-Magnolia VFC Harford $6,835 $3,000
Kennedyville VFC Kent $5,116 $2,558
Kitzmiller VFD Garrett $6,500 $3,000
La Plata VFD Charles $5,695 $2,848
LaVale VFD Allegany $3,206 $1,603
Liberty Road VFC Baltimore $5,074 $2,537
Lineboro VFD Carroll $3,075 $1,537
Linkwood Salem VFC Dorchester $3,600 $1,800
Longmeadow VFC Washington $2,080 $1,040
Marion VFD Somerset $6,000 $3,000
Mt. Savage VFD Allegany $4,920 $2,460
Vernon VFD Somerset $6,800 $3,000
Oldtown VFD Allegany $6,440 $3,000
Orchard Beach VFD Anne Arundel $7,230 $3,000
Potomac Fire Company # 2 Allegany $4,000 $2,000
Sharpsburg VFC Washington $7,485 $3,000
Sharptown VFD Wicomico $5,851 $2,826
Sudlersville VFC Queen Anne $2,760 $1,380
Taylors Island VFD Dorchester $6,000 $3,000
Westside VFD Wicomico $3,440 $1,720
Winfield Community VFD Carroll $4,437 $2,219
Total $187,652 $90,021