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The National Park Service (NPS), in conjunction with Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site, recently provided funding for rural fire assistance to three rural fire districts. La Junta, Rocky Ford and Las Animas districts received a total of $10,000. The National Park Service grant was through the Rural Fire Assistance Program, a part of the National Fire Plan. The program is designed to increase firefighter safety and enhance the fire protection capabilities of rural fire departments near national parks to assist them with wildland fires.
At Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site assistance from adjacent volunteer fire departments is vital. "This is a great opportunity for Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site to help our neighboring fire districts, who have always been willing and ready to help us," said Cindy Ott- Jones, Park Superintendent. "Smaller NPS units, such as ourselves, require significant assistance from local fire departments to respond to structural and wildland fires. Although Bent's Old Fort has been lucky in its limited need for assistance, that support has always been there, and we are very grateful."
The National Park Service made a direct allocation to each individual rural fire district. Each district then used the allocated funds to purchase equipment or to provide needed training. Equipment purchased included personal protective equipment such as fire-resistant coats and pants, fire helmets, fire goggles and hand tools, fire shelters, radio chest packs, weather kits, hoses and fittings. |
