Through the National Park Service Rural Fire Assistance Program, Big Bend National Park, Fort Davis National Historic Site and Amistad National Recreation Area are able to help their neighboring communities of less than 10,000 people. This year, Big Bend National Park presented local Volunteer Fire Departments financial assistance to accomplish wildland fire training, purchasing fire apparatus and wildland fire personal protective equipment (PPE).
The Alpine Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) received $13,000 for the purchase of a slip-on firefighting unit and wildland fire PPE. The Fort Davis VFD received $6,000 for purchasing wildland fire shelters, which provide firefighters the last chance protection in a wildfire burnover situation. The Terlingua VFD received $6,000 for training, fire tools and a portable water tank. In Val Verde County , the VFD that responds to the area adjacent to Amistad NRA, received $12,000 for PPE, a portable tank and a fire hose.
This program has provided assistance to local Volunteer Fire Departments to improve their wildland firefighting capability each year since 2001. In 2003 for example, the Marathon VFD received $5,000 that the department applied to upgrade their water tender.
"We are happy to be able to assist our neighbors in their efforts to provide fire protection for the community and we welcome their support should we ever have to call upon them for help. We look forward to making similar presentations next year" said Big Bend National Park Superintendent John H. King. |
