Search Newsroom

Rural fire departments across the state are encouraged to apply now for the 2015 Rural Fire Defense 80/20 Reimbursement Grant program. Grants are available for equipment purchases or fire station construction. Fire departments in towns with a population of less than 10,000 are eligible to receive a grant and can apply through Oklahoma Forestry Services by September 1.

The grants provide reimbursement of up to 80% of the total amount of the project, with fire departments receiving reimbursement after the purchase or constructions costs have been paid. A total of $200,000 is available for the program this year and will be awarded in each of Oklahoma's 11 rural fire districts in October. Departments can receive up to $30,000 for fire department construction and up to $20,000 for fire equipment purchases.

???Our rural fire departments do an excellent job and we are pleased to have some funding to help them get what they need to fight fire,??? said State Forester George Geissler. ???We only wish we had more funds to assist more departments.???

The grants are authorized by Governor Mary Fallin, funded by the Oklahoma Legislature and administered by the Oklahoma Forestry Services, a division of Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food & Forestry. Oklahoma's Rural Fire Coordinators grade the applications and select the recipients.

Fire departments which received funding last year include: Afton Volunteer Fire Department, Cedar Lake/Canadian Valley Fire Department, Corn Fire Department, Corum Fire Department, Freedom Fire Department, Harrah Fire Department, Hollis Fire Department, Holly Creek/Oak Hill fire Department, Jones Fire Department, Kellyville Fire Department, Kildare Fire Department, McLoud Fire Department, Milburn Fire Department, Ninnekah Fire Department, Olney Volunteer Fire Department, Piedmont Fire Department, Pioneer Fire Department, Twin Hills Fire Department and Waurika Fire Department.

Applications and more information are available on the Oklahoma Forestry Services website, www.forestry.ok.gov/firegrants or call 405-522-6158.