2008 Volunteer Fire Assistance Grants Awarded
37 Local Volunteer Fire Departments Receive Funding to Combat Wildland Fires in Rural Communities

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ANNAPOLIS — The Maryland Department of Natural Resources awarded 37 volunteer fire departments located in 12 counties with a 2008 Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) grant to increase their capacity for wildland fire suppression. Projects include wildland personal protective equipment, skid units for building brush trucks, replacing fire hoses, upgrading communications equipment, installing dry fire hydrants, and other supplies equipment needed to supress wildfires.

“Our local fire department volunteers are true heroes of their communities, and we are thankful for their steadfast dedication to helping their neighbors,“ said Governor Martin O’Malley. “These grants ensure that these local heroes can continue to safely protect their neighbors and local businesses from wildfires.”

Grant funds received by DNR from the USDA Forest Service funded 37 applications for $90,112 in match funding to fulfill local wildlfire suppression and preparedness needs totaling $286,039 this year. The maximum grant award was $3,000 per department. Grant applications were very competitive and funding was only available to assist 61 percent of the volunteer fire departments that applied this year. Applications are ranked based on project description, local financial support, population, protection area, and other factors.

“We are thankful for the fire protection provided by local volunteer fire departments,” said Monte Mitchell, DNR State Fire Supervisor. “The grants help rural fire departments increase their effectiveness and safety in combating wildland fires in Maryland.”

Church Creek Volunteer Fire Department of Dorchester is using their $2,670 grant for purchasing new forestry hose, improved appliances and tools, and new pagers for volunteers, while Clear Spring Volunteer Fire Department of Washington County is using their $2,980 grant to buy much-needed new wildland and forestry firefighting equipment.

The following is a list of 2008 awards:

Volunteer Fire Department	County	Project Cost	Grant Awarded
Barton Hose Company	Allegany	$4,608	$2,304
Bedford Road VFD	Allegany	$4,386	$2,193
Corriganville VFC	Allegany	$5,900	$2,950
Ellerslie VFC	Allegany	$1,672	$836
Flintstone VFD	Allegany	$5,972	$2,986
Good Will VFD (Lonaconing)	Allegany	$7,500	$3,000
LaVale VFD	Allegany	$3,000	$1,500
Oldtown VFD	Allegany	$6,193	$3,000
Potomac Fire Company # 2	Allegany	$3,070	$1,535
Shaft VFD	Allegany	$5,186	$2,593
Lake Shore VFC	Anne Arundel	$6,116	$3,000
Arcadia VFC	Baltimore	$4,000	$2,000
Maryland Line FPA	Baltimore	$6,000	$3,000
Ridgely VFD	Caroline	$4,500	$2,250
Cecilton VFC	Cecil	$2,600	$1,300
Benedict VFDRS	Charles	$85,000	$3,000
Cobb Island VFD	Charles	$7,321	$3,000
Church Creek VFC	Dorchester	$5,342	$2,670
East New Market VFC	Dorchester	$4,161	$2,080
Eldorado Brookview VFC	Dorchester	$6,000	$3,000
Hoopers Island VFC	Dorchester	$5,629	$2,814
Linkwood Salem VFD	Dorchester	$6,000	$3,000
Lloyds VFC	Dorchester	$9,000	$3,000
Neck District VFC	Dorchester	$9,780	$3,000
Taylors Island VFC	Dorchester	$3,106	$1,553
Vienna VFC	Dorchester	$6,102	$3,000
Freindsville VFRD	Garrett	$19,750	$3,000
Hyattstown	Montgomery	$5,438	$2,719
Upper Montgomery VFD	Montgomery	$9,048	$3,000
Crisfield VFD	Somerset	$5,540	$2,770
Marion VFD	Somerset	$6,000	$3,000
Mt. Vernon VFD	Somerset	$3,110	$1,555
Cordova VFA	Talbot	$1,800	$900
Clear Spring VFC	Washington	$5,960	$2,980
First Hose Co of Boonsboro	Washington	$4,170	$2,085
Funkstown VFC	Washington	$4,000	$2,000
Potomac Valley VFC	Washington	$3,079	$1,539
Total		$286,039	$90,112

For more information on the VFA program in Maryland, go to the Forest Service Wildland Fire Management website at http://dnr.maryland.gov/forests/wfm.asp and click on Volunteer Fire Assistance.

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August 25, 2008

Contact: Olivia Campbell 410-260-8016 office I 410-507-7525 cell ocampbell@dnr.state.md.us

Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 449,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources attract 12 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov