Rural and volunteer fire departments receive DNR grants

Five Michiana volunteer fire departments received Volunteer Fire Assistance grants from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

The grants, totaling $250,000, were given to 53 departments in 39 counties across the state.

The grants are administered by the DNR Division of Forestry and made available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service.

Grants were based on population density, acres of public wildlands protected, and wildland fire reporting to DNR Fire Control Headquarters.

Recipients can use the grants for training, installation of dry hydrants or for equipment and gear to fight wildland fires.

• The Kingsbury Volunteer Fire Department in La Porte County received $2,580 for water handling.
• The La Crosse Volunteer Fire Department in la Porte County received $5,000 for safety.
• The Monterey Tippecanoe Volunteer Fire Department in Pulaski County received $5,000 for safety.
• The Liberty Township Volunteer Fire Department in St. Joseph County received $5,000 for safety.
• The Southwest Central Fire Territory in St. Joseph County received $4,999 for radios.