Nearly $1.5 million is available to small volunteer fire departments for equipment grants. The small volunteer departments are invited to apply for grants of up to $15,000 from the State of Missouri.
Eligible expenses include firefighter turnout gear, hand tools, chainsaws, interoperable radio equipment, and wildland protective clothing. There is a 5% local cash match.
Department of Public Safety Director Mark James says the Missouri Division of Fire Safety estimates there are over 300 small, largely rural, fire departments that would be eligible for these grants.