The Geary County Rural Fire Department announces that they have received another grant. Kansas Forest Service thru the 2025 Volunteer Firefighter Assistance (VFA) Grant awarded Geary County Rural Fire a 50/50 grant in the amount of $3,706.00. This grant money will be purchasing 60 wildland helmet shrouds to protect the firefighters when fighting wildland fires, and 12 sections of forestry hose (50 foot) sections. The forestry hose can be attached to the brush fire units at wildfires so that the firefighters can reach areas inaccessible to the brush unit.
Accorfding to the Fire Department this is the third grant that they have received so far this fall. Last week was the AFG Grant in the amount of $711,000.00 for air pacs for not only the department but also Grandview Plaza and Milford City Fire Departments. That was a 95-5% match. Earlier the Kansas Pipeline Association awarded the department a $2,500.00 grant to purchase 5 4-gas monitors. These monitors are being placed on the main structure fire units. At the scene of a fire, the monitors will be carried by the firefighters to monitor the air quality inside the structure. They will also be used when responding on carbon monoxide alarms. This grant required no match.
All of the equipment that was requested thru these grants are vital to keeping not only firefighters safe, but also to help them protect the property of citizens. By getting grants, the amount of taxes that the rural residents have to pay for the needed equipment for the firefighters is lessened.