By 1812Blockhouse, Ohio Department of Natural Resources
The Mansfield Fire Department will have a new “eye in the sky” in its monitoring of potential area forest fires.
The Department, as well as two others in contiguous counties, received grants to assist in such efforts. Mansfield’s was for $3,000 to purchase a new drone.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Forestry strives to support Ohio’s fire departments and the communities that they serve. Through the Community Wildfire Risk Reduction (CWRR) Grant program, the Division of Forestry recently approved grant funding for 37 projects totaling $75,718 for fire departments in eastern and southern Ohio.
CWRR Grant projects are focused on supporting hazard mitigation, emergency preparedness, public education, and firefighter training for Ohio fire departments. Items that fire departments will procure through these grants include computers, tablets, GPS units, outdoor signs, training room equipment, and other technology that support emergency preparedness. The Ohio Division of Forestry is a proud partner of Ohio’s fire departments and supports their mission to build safer communities and better prepared first responders.
Many fire departments in Ohio have very tight budgets and the majority of their limited resources must be focused on absolute essentials and keeping emergency services up and running. ODNR Forestry’s CWRR grant program allows for cost share to help make important ancillary programs like community outreach, risk reduction, and safety campaigns possible.
Area departments also receiving grants were the Polk Jackson Perry Fire Department in Ashland County, which received $2943.50 for purchasing computers and tablets, and the Central Ohio Joint Fire District in Centerburg, Knox County, which obtained $1,498.00 for a smartboard purchase.
CWRR grant funding is provided to ODNR Forestry from the U.S. Forest Service.
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 and fire prevention programs, visit Forestry.ohiodnr.gov. Follow us on Facebook at @odnrforestry and on Instagram at @odnrforestry (instagram.com/odnrforestry).
ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov.
