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The National Park Service (NPS), in conjunction with Fort Union National Monument , recently provided funding for rural fire assistance for the third consecutive year to the Watrous Volunteer Fire Department. This year the department received a total of $5000. The grant was awarded through the Rural Fire Assistance Program authorized under the National Fire Plan. The program is designed to increase firefighter safety and enhance the fire protection capabilities of rural fire departments located near national park units.
Assistance from the Watrous Volunteer Fire Department is vital at Fort Union National Monument . "We rely heavily on them to provide fire protection, both wildland and structural here at Fort Union, said Mitzi Frank, Superintendent. "Smaller NPS sites, such as ours, require significant assistance because we simply do not have the staff available with firefighter certification to provide protection for ourselves. Although Fort Union has been lucky in its limited need for assistance, that support has always been there, and we are very grateful."
The funds have been used to provide training and to purchase equipment. Equipment purchased includes foam tanks, two-way radios, float pump, drip torches, GPS receiver, and forestry hose. |
