Two local fire districts receive grants

Two Cole County fire protection districts recently received state grant money to help firefighting efforts.

During July and August, matching funds for rural fire departments are being distributed by the forestry division staff of the Missouri Department of Conservation.

The Regional West Fire Protection District received $3,000 which was used to purchase six portable radios and two mobile radios.

The Russellville-Lohman Fire District received $2,988.17 to purchase a base station, four dry hydrants and two drip torches.

One hundred eighty-two fire departments are receiving checks for up to $4,000 to help with the purchase of personal protective gear and firefighting equipment for wildfires as well as structure fires.

Fire departments are required to match 50 percent of the funds, which are provided by the Missouri Department of Conservation and the volunteer fire assistance program with the U.S. Forest Service.

Throughout the last 30 years, more than $7 million has been distributed to rural fire departments to help them increase the safety of their firefighters and provide them with better firefighting equipment.