State Funds Radios For White Rock FD
White Rock Fire Department strives to provide fast and effective service to those in the 90-square-mile district. This means being available to serve at a moment’s notice.
Radios are essential to the operation, providing a vital link between dispatch and firefighters. Now, with the help of the Missouri
Department of Conservation, volunteers with the department are sure to have good radio contact for years to come.
During July and August, Forestry staff with the Missouri Department of Conservation have been busy distributing grant checks to rural fire departments across the state.
“We make an effort to support rural fire departments as much as we can,” Kevin Chew with the Missouri Department of Conservation said.
On Friday, Chew presented the White Rock Fire Department with a check in the amount of $812.50.
This money will help secure five new radios for the 15-person crew. When one of the current radios breaks, a new model will be used to replace it, effectively keeping the crew seamlessly on call.
“That’s your lifeline,” Fire Chief Joe Lahr said.
Departments are required to match 50 percent of the funds that are provided by the Missouri Department of Conservation and the U.S. Forest Service’s Volunteer Fire Assistance Program.
One hundred fifty-six fire departments are slated to receive checks that will help with the purchase of personal protective gear and firefighting equipment. These funds can be used towards upgrades that will help fight wildfires as well as structure fire suppression efforts.
This year, funds in the amount of $338,490.28 have been distributed to fire departments in Missouri.
Over the last 30 years, more than $7.5 million has been distributed to rural fire departments to increase firefighter safety and provide them with better firefighting equipment.