Four fire departments in southeast Iowa—Denmark, Donnellson, Olds, and Wapello—are among 138 rural departments statewide receiving 2024 Volunteer Fire Assistance grants. The grants, totaling nearly $416,000 in 50% cost-share funding, aim to bolster wildfire suppression, personal protection, and communications equipment.
The program, coordinated by Iowa DNR Forestry and the US Forest Service, provides essential support to help protect Iowans and their property from wildfires.
Jason Walker, fire supervisor with Iowa DNR Forestry, emphasized the importance of submitting Wildland Fire Reports after responding to wildfires or assisting with controlled burns. Departments that file these reports gain priority points during grant evaluations, as the data is used locally and nationally in reports to Congress.
