Grants awarded to rural fire departments for 2017

Aug. 22--Several area rural fire departments received grants from Oklahoma Forestry Services for fiscal year 2017.

Grant winners, 861 total across the state, will receive an Oklahoma Operational Assistance Grant for $3,817.42. The grant will be paid to local departments in two payments of $1,908.71.

The funds may be used for firefighting equipment maintenance and purchases, insurance premiums and personal protective equipment.

"Our rural fire departments are the backbone of our communities," said Rep. Mike Sanders, R-Kingfisher, in a written statement. "I'm thankful to every one of our paid and volunteer firefighters who protect lives and property. I'm thankful as well for their families who make this willing sacrifice of their service."

Sanders said such grants can make a big difference to small departments. He called the funds critical to departments long-term successes in maintaining the state's fire services.

The number of fire departments awarded grants in the surrounding area includes:

--Nine departments in Alfalfa County.

--Eight in Blaine County.

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--Twelve in Garfield County.

--Eight in Grant County.

--Seven in Kingfisher County.

--Seven in Major County.

--Six in Woods County.

--Three in Woodward County.

To qualify, a department must serve a community with a population of less than 10,000.

Funds for the grants are appropriated by the state legislature and authorized by the governor to be administered by OFS. The grant program has been in operation since the 1980s.

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