LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas — Eighty-seven rural fire departments, including the Caldwell and McCrory fire departments, have received wildland fire suppression kits through the Rural Fire Protection Program. The program received over $300,000 through the Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant from the U.S. Forest Service.
Volunteer fire departments often partner with the forestry division in wildfire response and suppression, but are often in need of specialized equipment and gear.
Since 2014, more than 757 wildland fire suppression kits have been distributed to volunteer fire departments statewide. The necessary equipment and gear in the kits include lightweight wildfire-resistant coveralls, gloves, rakes, and leaf blowers.
Among those receiving funds are two in Baxter County; one in Craighead County; one in Mississippi County; two in Monroe County; one in Greene County; two in Independence County; two in Izard County; two in Lawrence County; one in Sharp County; one in St. Francis County; one in Stone County; one in White County; and two in Woodruff County.
Volunteer fire departments interested in participating in the program must submit an application to the RFP. The applications are scored according to specific criteria including fire district population, the size of the response area, wildfire equipment response needs, and other factors. The next application period is expected to begin in August 2024.
Fire departments should receive an application by mail, or they can be found at agriculture.arkansas.gov /forestry/rural-fire-protection-program/ when the application period opens. For more information, fire departments should contact Kathryn Mahan-Hooten at kathryn.mahan@agriculture.arkansas.gov or 501-679-3183.
