Provincetown, Truro, Wellfleet, and Eastham Fire Departments on Cape Cod, Massachusetts received $20,000 worth of wildland fire equipment in 2008 under the Rural Fire Assistance (RFA) program administered through the Cape Cod National Seashore.
A handoff ceremony was held on October 15, 2008 at the Cape Cod National Seashore (CCNS) South District Fire Cache. In attendance: Eastham Fire Chief Glenn Olson, Wellfleet Fire Chief Dan Silverman, Truro Fire Chief Brian Davis, Truro Deputy Chief Dan Silva, Provincetown Fire Chief Michael Trovato, CCNS Superintendent George E. Price, Chief Ranger Bob Grant, Fire Technician Brian Ward, Fire Program Management Assistant Jack Shields and CCNS Fire Management Officer, David Crary.
Equipment and other items included fire resistant shirts, pants, gloves and hardhats, often referred to as “PPE” or personal protective equipment, chainsaws, pumps, portable lighting, firefighting hand tools, and fire suppression foam.
Of the nearly 400 units of the National Park Service (NPS), at least 245 experience wildland fires, either originating within the unit, or igniting outside and threatening the park. In particular, smaller NPS sites such as the Cape Cod National Seashore require significant assistance from adjacent community fire departments to respond to wildland fires.
Historically, the NPS and Cape Cod National Seashore have had limited funding capability to assist local fire departments. However, the FY2001 Appropriations for the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies enabled the Seashore to participate in the pilot year of the Rural Fire Assistance Program in 2002 and again this year.
The Rural Fire Assistance program is primarily designed to increase firefighter safety and enhance the fire protection capabilities of rural and community fire departments. This is achieved by assisting those departments in meeting or exceeding accepted standards of wildland fire qualifications, training and performance through equipment and supply purchases and training. Emphasis is placed on departments which protect rural communities and play a substantial cooperative role, agreed to under a written Cooperative Fire Agreement, with the NPS unit.
Contact: David Crary, Jr., Fire Management Officer
Phone: (508) 958-0716
*This story supports the National Fire Plan |
