NEWS RELEASE: 2023 DNR Fire Assistance Grant awarded to Polk City Fire Department

News Release

2023 DNR Fire Assistance Grants awarded to rural Fire Departments

More than $415,000 in 50 percent cost-share grants have recently been awarded to 131 of Iowa’s rural fire departments to aid their efforts in protecting Iowan’s and their property from wildfires. The grants offer valuable funding assistance for wildfire suppression, personal protective and communications equipment.

The following fire departments will receive 2023 VFA grants: Alburnett, Allison, Amana, Anamosa, Anita, Aplington, Ashton, Atlantic, Audubon, Avoca, Baxter, Belle Plaine, Blakesburg, Brighton, Burt, Camanche, Cascade, Castana, Centerville, Centralia/Peosta, Chariton, Charlotte, Cherokee, Clarinda, Clermont, College-Ely-Putnam, College Springs, Colwell, Creston, Denmark, DeWitt, Dike, Dixon, Dow City-Arion, Elberon, Elliott, Estherville, Fairbank, Fort Atkinson, Garber, Gilman, Glenwood, Greeley, Greene, Grundy Center, Hancock, Harlan, Harpers Ferry, Haverhill, Hills, Hornick, Hospers, Houghton Cedar Twsp, Humeston, Independence, Indiana Twsp, Inwood, Ionia, Irwin, Jefferson-Monroe, Jesup, Jewell, Key West, Laurens, Le Claire, Libertyville, Little Sioux, Logan, Luana, Luzerne, Madrid, Manilla, Maquoketa, McGregor, Melbourne, Meriden, Millersburg, Modale, Montezuma, Moorhead, Morley, Morning Sun, Moulton, Moville, New Albin, New London, North Keokuk Co, Oak Twsp, Onawa, Ossian, Otho, Oxford Junction, Oxford, Pleasantville, Polk City, Postville, Prescott, Protivin, Quimby, Randolph, Ridgeway, Riverton, Saint Olaf, Searsboro, Sheldon, Shenandoah, Sidney, Sigourney, Solon/Tri-Twsp, State Center, Strawberry Point, Stuart, Tama, Tiffin, Toledo, Truro, Ute, Van Horne, Villisca, Vining, Vinton, Volga City, Wallingford, Washington, Waukon, Webb, West Union, Winfield, Woodbine, Wyoming, Yale,

The grants are made possible through Iowa DNR Forestry, in cooperation with US Forest Service - State and Private Forestry.

Gail Kantak, fire supervisor with DNR Forestry, reminds all fire departments of the importance of submitting Wildland Fire Reports whenever they respond to a wildland fire or provide assistance to a prescribed or controlled wildland fire. Wildland fire reporting forms are available at www.iowadnr.gov/fire.

Departments returning these reports receive priority points when the Fire Assistance grant applications are scored. These wildland fire reports are compiled locally and nationally and are reported to Congress.

Media Contact: Gail Kantak, state wildland fire supervisor, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, 515-689-0083.