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Rocky Mountain National Park is distributing $18,000 in federal funding to the Estes Park and Glen Haven Volunteer Fire Departments. As part of the National Fire Plan, the Rural Fire Assistance program is designed to increase firefighter safety, enhance the fire protection capabilities of rural fire departments and assist surrounding communities. Each department will receive $9000, which can be used for equipment, training and prevention activities. The departments must match the funding with a 10% cost share requirement.
Assistance from adjacent volunteer fire departments is vital to fire management operations at Rocky Mountain National Park. According to Tony Schetzsle, Assistant Superintendent, "This program offers a great opportunity to continue our cooperative working relationship with the local volunteer fire departments to reduce fire risk in our community."
Estes Park Volunteer Fire Department Chief Scott Dorman was very pleased to receive this grant to purchase equipment for volunteer firefighters and the water tender. "Working together with Rocky Mountain National Park to enhance wildland fire management operations is an important partnership for our department and this community," said Dorman. Glen Haven Volunteer Fire Department Chief Tom Housewright added, "This couldn't have come at a better time for us. It has been an extremely long and busy fire season and some of our equipment is worn out." Glen Haven will use this funding to purchase firefighting equipment and supplies, including chainsaws and water tanks.The National Fire Plan was passed by Congress after the fire season of 2000 and has a strong emphasis on community protection. This is the second year that local communities have benefited from this important program.
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