The Indiana Department of Natural Resources recently awarded more than $454,000 in Volunteer Fire Assistance grants to 101 rural and volunteer fire departments from 58 counties.
The Driftwood Township Volunteer Fire Department in Jackson County received a $5,000 grant for wildland gear.
The awards will be used to fund training or purchase necessary firefighting equipment and gear to combat wildland fires. The grants are administered by the DNR Division of Forestry and made available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service.
Recipients were selected based on population density, acres of public lands protected and wildland fire reporting to DNR fire control headquarters. As in past years, emphasis was given to projects that involved the fighting of wildfires.
Three departments in Jennings County also received grants. The Campbell Township Volunteer Fire Department received a $2,500 grant for water handling, and the Spencer Township and Vernon Township volunteer fire departments both received $5,000 grants for communications.
Fire departments interested in applying for future grants may contact Mark Huter, assistant state fire coordinator at fire control headquarters, 6220 Forest Road, Martinsville, or call 765-792-4654.