Departments that provide fire protection to wild lands may participate. Most equipment obtained under this program are trucks suitable for conversion to tankers or pumpers. Generators, pumps, fire hoses and breathing apparatus may also be available. Power units can be used to provide emergency lighting or to power a radio base station. 4 x 4 pickup trucks suitable for use on grass and timber fires may also be available.
Fire departments bear the cost of transportation, conversion, painting, storage and maintenance.
The equipment usually requires some conversion, but the cost is much less than purchase of comparable equipment. For more information about the program, contact Gail Kantak at the State Forest Nursery in Ames. Rural Community Fire Protection Program. This program provides matching funds to fire departments for the purchase of equipment and training. Contact Gail Kantak at the State Forest Nursery in Ames for information.