PIERRE, SD – This past March South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem signed legislation to appropriate $5 million to the Department of Public Safety (DPS) “for the purpose of purchasing individual firefighter safety equipment.”
Now the Department of Public Safety State Fire Marshal’s office, in partnership with the South Dakota Firefighters Association announces the availability of grant funding for Volunteer Fire Departments (VFDs) whose membership is at least 70% unpaid and volunteer firefighters.
These grants can be used to purchase personal protective equipment for firefighters such as helmets, coats, pants, gloves, boots, breathing apparatuses, and other personal gear.
DPS Secretary Craig Price noted that the volunteer firefighters of our state don’t hesitate to enter burning buildings when it’s needed to save lives and property and “they deserve to have the gear needed to protect South Dakota families and property, so they can safely return home to their own.”
Fire departments across the state reported a significant drop in local donations as the pandemic stalled fundraising efforts for two years. As a result, key equipment purchases and replacements, including personal protective equipment, were delayed, or even canceled altogether.
South Dakota Firefighters Association President Charles Kludt expressed the gratitude of the state’s volunteer firefighters to Governor Noem and state legislators for their efforts to support volunteer fire departments and firefighters. He added that it is now a matter of making sure the funds are distributed to where the need is the greatest.
Volunteer Fire Departments can expect to receive a paper copy of the application packet via U.S. mail and e-mail.
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