October 2nd, 2017 by WCBC Radio
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced today that a record number of volunteer fire departments applied for and received Volunteer Fire Assistance Grants in 2017, resulting in the most funding distributed in state history.
“Volunteer Fire Assistance Grants allow us to support our first responders, hardworking men and women who risk their own lives and safety to protect our state’s citizens, communities and natural resources,” Maryland Fire Supervisor Monte Mitchell said. “These grants pay for equipment and training, and improve volunteer firefighting efforts by our local partners.”
This year, 45 volunteer fire departments in 17 counties will use their share of the total $102,548 awarded to acquire essential supplies. Fire companies and departments use this money for a variety of materials and services such as dry hydrant pressurized systems that enable access to nearby water sources in areas without hydrants, repairs to fire boats used to battle blazes best accessed by water, and coveralls that offer safe yet lightweight protection to reduce heat-related fatigue and injury.
The grants, provided by the U.S. Forest Service and managed by the Maryland Forest Service, help supply volunteer fire departments with the equipment and tools they need to effectively and efficiently fight wildland fires. Most of these fire stations serve rural Maryland communities with less than 10,000 residents and rely on these monies to ensure they have reliable resources to battle blazes and keep citizens safe.
Firefighting units receiving 2017 grants are (categorized by county and department):
| Volunteer Fire Department | County | Project Cost | Award | ||||
| Barton Hose Company 1 | Allegany | $6,149 | $3,000 | ||||
| Bowmans Addition Volunteer Fire Company | Allegany | $1,320 | $660 | ||||
| District 16 Volunteer Fire Department | Allegany | $6,002 | $3,000 | ||||
| Ellerslie Volunteer Fire Company | Allegany | $6,000 | $3,000 | ||||
| Good Will Volunteer Fire Company 1 | Allegany | $7,095 | $3,000 | ||||
| Mount Savage Volunteer Fire Department | Allegany | $1,953 | $976 | ||||
| Oldtown Volunteer Fire Department | Allegany | $6,300 | $3,000 | ||||
| Orleans Volunteer Fire Company | Allegany | $2,246 | $1,123 | ||||
| Shaft Volunteer Fire Department | Allegany | $5,940 | $2,970 | ||||
| Eastern Garrett County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department | Garrett | $10,000 | $3,000 | ||||
| Kitzmiller Volunteer Fire Department | Garrett | $6,324 | $3,000 | ||||
|
Washington | $10,995 | $3,000 | ||||
| Clear Spring Volunteer Fire Company | Washington | $6,000 | $3,000 | ||||
| Community Fairplay | Washington | $4,406 | $2,203 | ||||
| First Hose Comopany of Boonsboro | Washington | $6,345 | $3,000 | ||||
| Leitersburg Volunteer Fire Company | Washington | $968 | $484 | ||||
| Potomac Valley Volunteer Fire Company | Washington | $5,301 | $2,651 | ||||
| Sharpsburg Volunteer Fire Company | Washington | $4,800 | $2,400 | ||||
| Total | $232,663 | $102,548 |
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