**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:**

> Tammi Schone - (605) 352-1102

**USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT JOINS IN RECOGNIZING FIRE PREVENTION WEEK\
**[*Rural Development Funding Helps Save Lives*\
]{.underline}

**(Huron, South Dakota -- October 7, 2005)** USDA Rural Development
State Director Lynn D. Jensen is joining in the recognition of October 9
-- 15, 2005 as Fire Prevention Week. The week was established to
commemorate the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 which killed more than 250
people and left 100,000 homeless.

"Paying attention to prevention efforts and testing your smoke alarms
are two of the most important steps every individual can take to help
save lives." said Jensen. He continued, "I commend President Bush for
getting these funds to our communities for equipment and programs that
assist with saving lives."

USDA Rural Development is able to support small, rural communities
through the President's First Responder's Initiative, which builds on
strengthening the existing capabilities at the Federal, State and local
level. As Fire Prevention Week approaches, USDA Rural Development wants
to share how we are improving the lives of people in rural South Dakota.
Some of the successful South Dakota USDA Rural Development community
facility loan/grant applicants for the past two years include:

**[Project]{.underline}** **[Amount]{.underline} [Purpose]{.underline}**

-   **North Haines Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. \$360,000 Assist with
    the construction of a fire station.**

-   **City of Miller \$400,000 Assist with the construction of a fire
    hall/meeting room.**

-   **City of Brandon \$560,000 Assist with the construction of a new
    fire hall.**

-   **Sturgis Volunteer Fire Department \$280,000 Rebuild fire truck.**

-   **Lake Andes-Ravinia Rural Fire Protection \$ 80,000 Purchase used
    fire truck.**

-   **City of Wood \$ 76,500 Purchase fire trucks/construct new fire
    hall.**

-   **Whitewood Rural Fire Protection District \$200,000 Purchase new
    fire pumper/engine.**

-   **Worthing Community Fire Department Inc. \$195,000 Fire station
    improvements.**

-   **Tea Volunteer Fire Dept. \$121,000 Fire truck.**

-   **Hosmer Rural Fire Protection District \$ 80,000 Construct new fire
    hall.**

-   **City of Bryant \$ 9,780 Bunker gear.**

-   **Town of Vienna \$ 40,000 Fire hall addition.**

-   **Glad Valley Fire Department \$ 33,625 Construct new fire hall.**

-   **Vivian Fire Department \$ 4,690 Siren.**

-   **City of Mission \$ 10,500 Police vehicle.**

-   **City of Ashton \$ 11,780 Fire hall addition.**

-   **Lower Brule Motor Pool \$ 36,000 Purchase new ambulance.**

-   **Orient Volunteer Fire Department \$ 50,000 Used pumper.**

-   **Oglala Sioux Tribe \$ 50,000 Wanblee ambulance building.**

-   **Buffalo County Rural Fire Protection District #1 \$130,500
    Construct new fire hall.**

-   **Long Lake Fire Protection District \$ 12,925 Firefighting vehicle
    and equipment.**

-   **Eagle Butte Volunteer Fire Department \$ 51,300 Grass fire rig.**

-   **Dewey County Ambulance Service Association \$ 75,000 Purchase new
    ambulance/equipment.**

-   **Town of Grenville \$ 1,161 Installation of emergency siren
    equipment.**

-   **Seneca Rural Fire Protection District \$ 2,250 Purchase fire
    fighting equipment.**

-   **Eagle Butte Volunteer Fire Department \$ 11,250 Tank and pump for
    fire truck, lights and generators.**

-   **McIntosh Volunteer Fire Department \$ 22,500 Replacement of cab
    and chassis on pump/truck.**

-   **Isabel Volunteer Fire Department \$ 31,500 Equipment purchase.\
    \
    - More -**

**OOW EZ Medicine Root District \$ 50,000 Construct a new fire hall.**

-   **Mellette County \$142,750 Build EMS/fire hall.**

-   **McLaughlin Fire District \$ 18,370 Purchase and install emergency
    generator.**

-   **Bennett County \$ 13,200 Purchase of 1^st^ responder vehicle.**

-   **Mellette County \$ 13,915 First responder vehicle and equipment.**

'Small town living's more than just a state of mind, it's helping one
another each and every time. More than just a job that make up all of
you, it's hometown spirit, everything you do.' South Dakota USDA Rural
Development is doing its part in making this verse from USDA Rural
Development's theme song ring true. We are working towards being the
focal point for resources and assisting in delivering solutions that are
focused on our customer's needs.

USDA Rural Development has ten offices in the state that assist rural
communities. Office locations include a state office in Huron, along
with area offices in Aberdeen, Huron, Mitchell, Pierre, Rapid City,
Sioux Falls, Sturgis, Watertown, and Yankton.

USDA Rural Development's mission is to deliver programs in a way that
will support increasing economic opportunity and improve the quality of
life of rural residents. As a venture capital entity, Rural Development
provides equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in
homeownership, business development, and critical community and
technology infrastructure. Further information on rural programs is
available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA's
web site at <http://www/rurdev.usda.gov>.

**- USDA -**