In 2009, Zion National Park provided $4,900 in rural fire assistance (RFA) funds to the Harmony Valley, Utah Rural Volunteer Fire Department and $8,700 in rural fire assistance (RFA) funds to the Kanarraville, Utah Rural Volunteer Fire Department. The funding helped provide 14 fire shelters to the local firefighters of Harmony Valley, and 13 sets of PPE (personal protective equipment) and 13 fire shelters to Kanarraville. This will give both departments some of the necessary and required safety equipment for use in fighting wildland fires.
Zion has memoranda of understanding with both the Harmony Valley Rural Volunteer Fire Department and the Kanarraville Rural Volunteer Fire Department. Both departments provide for response and assistance with suppression of wildland and structural fires on park lands. Rural fire partners are often the only firefighting resources immediately available to help protect government property and are often the first line of defense against unwanted wildfire.
Beginning with the National Fire Plan in 2000 to the present, the National Park Service (NPS) has been able to help local cooperators through the RFA Program. The program is primarily designed to increase firefighter safety and enhance the wildland fire protection capabilities of rural fire departments. Priority is given to departments who pursue accepted standards of wildland fire personal protective equipment, training, and communications. Emphasis is placed on departments that protect rural communities, play a substantial cooperative role in the protection of NPS lands, and support interagency fire efforts.
Contact: David Eaker, Fire Communication and Education Specialist
Phone: (435) 772-7811 |
