Brush Fire Grants
By: Kevin Flanigan
Updated: February 27, 2013
HARRISBURG - With the approach of spring and increased risk of forest and brush fires across the state, federal grants are now available to help Pennsylvania's rural communities better guard against the threat of fires in forested, undeveloped and unprotected areas.
In 2012, more than $540,000 was awarded to 141 volunteer fire companies serving rural areas and communities where forest and brush fires are common. The grant program, offered through DCNR and paid through federal grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, has awarded almost $10 million since it began in 1982.
Local firefighting forces in rural areas or communities with fewer than 10,000 residents qualify for the aid, which is used for training and equipment purchases directly related to fighting brush and forest fires.
Grant applications must be electronically submitted through DCNR's eGrant webpage by 4 p.m. on Thursday, May 23. To expedite application and decision-making processes, DCNR is accepting only online applications. Applicants should visit www.dcnr.state.pa.us and click on "Apply for Grants" for details.
Aid is granted on a cost-share basis. Grants for any project during a fiscal year cannot exceed 50 percent of the actual expenditures of local, public and private nonprofit organizations in the agreement. The maximum grant that will be considered from any fire company in 2013 is $7,500.
For more information, contact DCNR's Bureau of Forestry, Division of Forest Fire Protection, at 717-787-2925.
In 2012, more than $540,000 was awarded to 141 volunteer fire companies serving rural areas and communities where forest and brush fires are common. The grant program, offered through DCNR and paid through federal grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, has awarded almost $10 million since it began in 1982.
Local firefighting forces in rural areas or communities with fewer than 10,000 residents qualify for the aid, which is used for training and equipment purchases directly related to fighting brush and forest fires.
Grant applications must be electronically submitted through DCNR's eGrant webpage by 4 p.m. on Thursday, May 23. To expedite application and decision-making processes, DCNR is accepting only online applications. Applicants should visit www.dcnr.state.pa.us and click on "Apply for Grants" for details.
Aid is granted on a cost-share basis. Grants for any project during a fiscal year cannot exceed 50 percent of the actual expenditures of local, public and private nonprofit organizations in the agreement. The maximum grant that will be considered from any fire company in 2013 is $7,500.
For more information, contact DCNR's Bureau of Forestry, Division of Forest Fire Protection, at 717-787-2925.
