2003

Mammoth Cave National Park
Mammoth Cave NP Donates to Local VFDs

In 2003, eight volunteer fire departments in the vicinity of Mammoth Cave National Park received $54,440 in firefighting gear and equipment from the park through the Rural Fire Assistance Program: Park City; Cave City; Lincoln, Chalybeate, Kyrock, Rocky Hill, Cub Run, and Brownsville. Gear included Nomex pants and shirts, hard hats, goggles, and fire shelters. Pulaskis, leaf blowers, and chain saws.

“At Mammoth Cave National Park, we stay in close communication with the volunteer fire departments adjacent to the park,” said Superintendent Ronald R. Switzer. “Their assistance in fire protection is vital to park staff, visitors, and the park resources. The Rural Fire Assistance Program allows the park to equip local volunteer fire departments with the tools, equipment, and training the need to fight a forest fire.”

Donnie Bragg, Kevin Vance, Todd Booker, Ranger Rich Caldwell, and Donnie Vance stop for a picture after they loaded fire equipment and gear donated to the Rocky Hill VFD by Mammoth Cave National Park.

According to park Fire Management Officer Rich Caldwell, the Rural Fire Assistance Program is primarily designed to increase firefighter safety and enhance the fire protection capabilities of rural fire departments that provide fire support on all federal lands. With the funding allocated to Mammoth Cave, the park provided the local departments with Nomex pants, shirts, gloves, helmets, training fire shelters, goggles, hand tools and backpack leaf blowers. Funds have also been allocated to cover the cost of basic wildland firefighting training courses.

“The fire departments around the park provide valuable service in wildland fire suppression, as well as structural fire protection, search and rescue, and emergency medical service response,” said Caldwell. “I feel very fortunate that the Rural Fire Assistance Program allows the park to present these departments with quality equipment to enhance the safety of their firefighters.”

Seven local volunteer fire departments currently have cooperating agreements with Mammoth Cave NP: Park City; Cave City; Lincoln, Chalybeate, Kyrock, Rocky Hill, and Cub Run.

Mammoth Cave National Park
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