The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (DFFM) is offering a financial helping hand to the state's fire districts with a new grant program, fueled by $5 million in funding. This initiative, born from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds allocated by Governor Katie Hobbs, is designed especially to support the rural communities across Arizona. As reported by the DFFM official announcement, eligible fire districts are invited to apply for up to $400,000 to invest in essential wildland firefighting apparatus.
Focusing on the practical needs of fire service, the grant offers fire districts the opportunity to directly acquire a Type 3 or Type 6 engine or a tactical water tender. These resources are crucial in the persistent battle against wildfires that have become an emblematic menace in the region's landscape. Coupled with the already available Rural Fire Capacity (RFC) grants, this new funding stream stands to substantially reinforce the fire-fighting arsenal for smaller agencies. These RFC grants, as discussed by DFFM, aim to support a range of needs, from personal protection gear to communication equipment, which are otherwise beyond the reach of their often constrained budgets.
In a remarkable demonstration of support earlier this year, the DFFM also dispersed nearly $4.3 million across 15 Arizona fire districts through the SB 1720 grant program. This funding backed the purchase of vital equipment like engines and ambulances and addressed infrastructure and communication necessities. And even though applications for these grants closed in April, some remaining funds from SB 1720 allowed for an additional allocation of $300,000 each to Pinon Pines and Desert Hills Fire Districts for the acquisition of Type 6 engines, DFFM outlined in their statement.
The new grant offerings reflect a continuance of this support, with fire districts having until January 24, 2025, to submit their applications. Those looking for additional information are directed to the DFFM website where they can find comprehensive details on these and other assistance programs. For inquiries, DFFM's Tiffany Davila can be reached at 602-540-1036 or through email at [email protected].
