There are 220 local fire departments in Wisconsin that will receive a total of $575,000 in grants this year for equipment, prevention and training to enhance their forest fire protection and suppression ability.

“These grants will enable local fire departments to increase their level of preparedness and ability to respond and protect their communities,” said Chris Klahn, Department of Natural Resources cooperative fire control specialist. “Throughout the year, DNR and local fire departments work cooperatively on numerous wildfire suppression efforts.”

Area fire departments that received grants include: Arbor Vitae, $4,182.50; Boulder Junction, $1,516.63; Conover Fire & Rescue, $2,489.60; Crescent, $1,003.50; Eagle River, $5,450.00; Newbold, $2,223.38; Nokomis, $1,320.00; Pine Lake, $1,370.90; Presque Isle, $3,100.00; and Winchester, $4,341.75

Local fire departments and county or area fire organizations received funding by applying for Forest Fire Protection Grants, which were established in 1997 to strengthen local fire departments’ and county or area fire organizations’ capabilities to assist the DNR forestry staff in suppression of forest fires.

The grant program provides funds for the purchase of forest fire suppression equipment and training, including personal protective equipment; forest fire training; forest fire prevention; forest fire tools and equipment; radio reprogramming; communication equipment; dry hydrant installation; rural fire mapping and numbering; and off-road all-wheel drive initial-attack vehicles.

A complete list of 2012 FFP grantees is available on the DNR website, dnr.wi.gov.