Greencastle, Cloverdale fire departments receive DNR grant

The Greencastle and Cloverdale fire departments were among departments from 48 Indiana departments across the state that were recently awarded grants through the Indiana Department of Natural Resources' Volunteer Fire Assistance grants program.

Greencastle's grant was for $4,547; Cloverdale's was for $4,987.

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

DNR Forestry staff reviews grant applications and selects recipients on the basis of population density, acres of public wildlands protected, wildland urban interface analysis and wildlife fire reporting to DNR Fire Control Headquarters near Martinsville.

VFA grants may be used for training, installation of dry hydrants or to purchase firefighting equipment and personal protective gear. The grants awarded ranged from $360 to $5,000 and were given to 74 fire departments.

Fire departments interested in applying for VFA or other grants should contact Crystal M. Hunt, program director, Fire Control Headquarters, 6220 Forest Road, Martinsville, IN 46151 or call 342-4701.