60 rural, volunteer fire agencies in Indiana share in grants

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Sixty of Indiana's rural and volunteer fire departments are sharing in more than $250,000 in federal grants they can use for training, to buy equipment or other purposes.

The grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture range from a $575 grant awarded to the Shoals Volunteer Fire Department in southwestern Indiana to $5,000 grants that several departments received.

The funding was awarded by forestry staff with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to rural and volunteer fire departments in 36 Indiana counties. DNR staff who reviewed the grant applications awarded them based in part on population density and the acres of public wildlands those agencies protect.

Departments can use the funding for training, installation of dry hydrants or to purchase necessary firefighting equipment and gear to combat wildland fires.