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Blackstone and Millville receive Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant |
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June 21, 2005 - The towns of Blackstone and Millville have received grant funding for $1,750 and $1,649.47 respectively from the Volunteer Fire Assistance Program (VFA) administered by the Executive of Environmental Affairs and the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). Millville is one of 38 towns to receive the grant which is funded by the Cooperative Forestry Program (CFP) and the National Fire Plan (NFP). The DCR’s Division of State Parks and Recreation/Bureau of Forest Fire Control promotes wildland fire protection and training for cities and towns throughout the Commonwealth. Many communities have call and volunteer departments, who rely on outside sources of funding to provide for the necessary equipment that they cannot afford through the normal budgetary process. “Once again Blackstone and Millville fire officials have shown their commitment to forest fire safety. They have continuously worked to keep their departments among the most efficient in the state, “said Senator Moore. “With this funding, the fire departments can continue their work in protecting the valuable wildlands in the community.” VFA funds are made available to DCR through the USDA Forest Service to assist call or volunteer fire departments that provide service primarily to a community with a population of 10,000 or less. Funding is available on a 50% reimbursement basis. CFP funding supports projects related to firefighter safety, technology transfer and rural fire defense. NFP funding provides assistance to (1) high risk communities adjacent to federal lands, (2) those communities working in partnership with federal firefighting agencies in responding to wildland fires, or (3) high risk communities, not associated with federal lands. More information on Senator Moore’s issues can be obtained by checking his web site www.senatormoore.com. |
