Seven Franklin County fire departments are benefiting from a total of $15,934, thanks to a recent round of grants through the state’s Volunteer Fire Assistance Program.

The funding will help with training and fire prevention efforts, as well as purchasing necessary supplies and equipment that enhance the ability to protect forest resources across Massachusetts.

“The VFA Program grants provide rural fire departments with the training and equipment needed to respond to and suppress fires in forests and parks across our state,” Department of Conservation and Recreation Commissioner Brian Arrigo said in a statement. “These grants demonstrate the important partnerships between DCR, the U.S. Forest Service and municipalities, and our commitment to preserving our natural resources and ensuring our outdoor spaces are safe for residents and visitors to enjoy as we experience more and more intense heat from the climate crisis.”

The Volunteer Fire Assistance grants, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service and administered by DCR, are designed to assist municipalities with populations of fewer than 10,000 residents. To be considered for a matching grant of up to $2,500, fire departments must be made up of at least 80% call or volunteer firefighters, be a state-recognized fire department and be National Incident Management System (NIMS) compliant.

Franklin County’s recipients are Buckland ($2,500), Gill ($2,500), Leverett ($2,500), Shelburne Falls ($2,500), Shelburne ($2,000), South Deerfield ($2,500) and Sunderland ($1,434).

Buckland and Shelburne

Herb Guyette, chief of the Buckland Fire Department and Shelburne Falls Fire District, explained the Shelburne Falls Fire District will use its matching grant to replace wildland fire pants and gloves, and add a set of goggles to each firefighter’s list of protective equipment.

“These items will increase our firefighter safety while on brush fires,” Guyette wrote in an email. “All items will be received for the spring brush fire season.”

Buckland will use its funding to buy a new 1¾-inch hose as well as new gloves and water cans.

With its $2,000 matching grant, Shelburne plans to purchase dry hydrants to improve water access in town.

Shelburne Fire Chief John Taylor explained 90% of the houses in his department’s coverage area have no access to fire hydrants. By installing dry hydrants, the department can get water from streams and ponds to assist in fighting fires. The department has used this grant for this purpose in previous years as well.

Gill

Meanwhile, Gill will purchase four electric chainsaws, two backpack water pumps for fighting brush fires and leather work gloves for all members of the department.

The department also recently received a larger $26,095 grant to buy new fire hose nozzles, vent fans and gas meters.

“With this grant, we can give our firefighters the safest and most up-to-date equipment to do the job they need to do,” said Deputy Chief William Kimball.

He mentioned that the purchase of four electric chainsaws will represent a shift from the department’s existing gas-powered equipment.

“Electric is more efficient and has a cleaner operation,” Kimball said.

Leverett

Leverett’s allotment is slated to be used for new headlamps and wildland packs for fighting forest fires. The headlamps will help with visibility and clarity, and the packs can be used to carry food and tools when firefighters go to more remote locations, Fire Chief Brian Cook explained.

The Leverett Fire Department has applied for this Volunteer Fire Assistance Program matching grant five times in the past six years and has received it every time.

“Often we are geared toward structure fires. This money gets the focus on rural forest fires,” Cook said. “It helps in the budgeting process and allows us to have funds designated for this.”

Reach Bella Levavi at 413-930-4579 or blevavi@recorder.com.