|
Two local fire departments in the vicinity of Pecos National Historical Park (NHP) benefited from the Rural Fire Assistance (RFA) Program in 2003. The two departments, Pecos Volunteer Fire Department and Rowe Volunteer Fire Department received $14,000 and $12,000 respectively.
With the drought in northern New Mexico large wildland fires have occurred in the Pecos vicinity regularly since the year 2000. Additionally, a pine bark beetle infestation has moved into the surrounding forests. As a result, the Pecos Volunteer Fire Department has been working to improve its capability to address wildland fire, particularly since much of its community is located in a wildland-urban interface. The department desperately needed personal protective equipment and supplies for its wildland fire truck to better protect life, homes, and resources in and around the community. The Rural Fire Assistance Funds went to acquire personal protective equipment for 24 members of the department. The department now has 24 members it has trained to the basic federal wildland firefighter standard and additionally trained two crew bosses. With the assistance of the RFA funds the department has taken a large step in its ability to address wildland fire in its community and to assist outside agencies, such as neighboring Pecos NHP.
The small community of Rowe borders the southern boundary of the main unit of Pecos NHP and shares a wildland-urban interface. The State of New Mexico sanctioned the organization of the Rowe Volunteer Fire Department in 2002. Thus, as a brand new volunteer fire department, its members were begging and borrowing literally anything they could find to equip their needs. The 2003 Rural Fire Assistance funds provided essential monies to purchase the very basics for this developing department, personal protective equipment, hand tools, saws, etc. While this department still has many needs, the RFA funds provided a basic foundation from which the Rowe Volunteer Fire Department can build. |
