The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Forestry recently provided more than $100,000 in fire and EMS equipment to dozens of rural fire departments throughout Ohio.
“The state is proud to partner with rural fire departments to help ensure that they have the tools they need to carry out their first responder duties and protect the public,” said Governor Mike DeWine. “Equipment was provided to more than 60 departments for free.”
Most of the equipment was acquired by the Division of Forestry through the U.S. Department of Defense Firefighter Property (FFP) program for the specific purpose of increasing the capacity of fire departments that serve rural areas in Ohio. The equipment was given to fire departments as part of a special equipment assignment day at Scioto Trail State Forest.
“The fire and EMS equipment program administered by the Ohio Division of Forestry allows us to help Ohio’s rural fire departments obtain important firefighting equipment that their budgets might not otherwise permit,” said Dan Balser, chief of the ODNR Division of Forestry. “Rural fire departments provide an outstanding service to their communities and the Ohio Division of Forestry supports their mission and is a proud partner of the fire service in Ohio.”
FFP items assigned to fire departments included generators, power tools, hand tools, advanced life support (ALS) equipment, first aid equipment, hose, nozzles, and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) air packs. In Richland County, a grant of $575 was made to the Springfield Township Fire Department for an ASUS tablet.
The Ohio Division of Forestry promotes the wise use and sustainable management of Ohio’s public and private woodlands. To learn more about Ohio’s woodlands, visit forestry.ohiodnr.gov.
