Cowley County Fire District No. 3 in Burden was one of 78 departments in Kansas awarded funding through the Kansas Firefighter Recruitment and Safety Grant Program, administered by the Office of the State Fire Marshal.
CCFD No. 3 was awarded $4,405.44 to purchase eight sets of wildland firefighting gear, according to a news release from the fire district Friday.
This year, over $1.3 million was requested by 78 volunteer/part-time fire departments in Kansas for safety gear, washer/extractor machines and firefighter physicals, the news release said.
Departments received over $350,000 to be used for safety gear, $45,000 for nine washer/extractor machines, and $4,000 for firefighter physicals. Due to the high number of requests, OSFM will be requesting the 2024 Legislature continue funding this important grant, the news release added.
“We are very fortunate to receive this funding,” Burden Fire District Chief Chris Cannon said. “Grant dollars are lifelines for volunteer fire departments with limited budgets. In 2023, we’ve received just over $150,000 in grant funding which has allowed us to update equipment that otherwise would not have been possible.
“This wildland gear is much lighter than our structural gear causing less fatigue, and is dual NFPA certified to also serve as rescue gear.”
The KFRSG grant has provided 98 washer/extractor machines to departments across Kansas since it’s inception in 2017.
“Having the proper protocols in place to clean firefighting gear is crucial in preventing exposure to carcinogens, particulates and biohazards that firefighters face every day in their profession,” the news release said.
State Fire Marshal Doug Jorgensen said grant applications were widely approved.
“This year, I was pleased to see every department that applied receive some or all of their requested funds,” Jorgensen said. “This funding will go a long way in providing these smaller, but vital departments with the gear and equipment they need to continue keeping their communities safe.”
The Burden fire district said volunteer and part-time fire departments face recruitment and retention challenges because they do not have the funding to provide safety equipment.
“Without new equipment provided by the recruiting fire department, potential volunteers are faced with not only donating their time but also providing their own safety gear, sharing gear with others, or doing without,” the fire district said. “There is also a proven increase in cancer diagnoses for firefighters, which can be caused by prolonged exposure to carcinogens, particulates, and biohazards.
“The proper gear, regular cleaning of that gear and equipment, along with preventative healthcare is crucial for a firefighter’s health and well-being.”
For more information on the Kansas Firefighter Recruitment and Safety Grant Program, please visit: www.firemarshal.ks.gov/grant.
