Nine fire departments on the Kenai Peninsula recently received grant funding to purchase tools and equipment to help fight structure and wildland fires.

According to a Jan. 30 press release from the Department of Natural Resources, 33 rural fire departments within the state were awarded funds in a total amount of $306,292 by the Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection “to improve firefighting capabilities and enhance protection in the wildland-urban interface.”

Though the state distributes money to eligible rural volunteer fire departments that have applied for annual grants, the funds come from the USDA Forest Service as part of the federal Volunteer Fire Capacity program, the release states. To qualify, fire departments must serve a population of 10,000 or less, be a registered fire department with the Alaska Division of Fire & Life Safety and provide at least a 10% match in non-federal funds.

The fire departments awarded may use the funds to purchase personal protective equipment, hoses, pumps, tools and other resources used to fight both structure and wildland fires.

On the Kenai Peninsula, the Homer Volunteer Fire Department, Western Emergency Services Area, Central Emergency Services Area, Moose Pass Volunteer Fire Company, Lowell Point Volunteer Fire Department, Cooper Landing Volunteer Fire Department, Bear Creek Fire/EMS Department, Seward Fire Department and Nikiski Fire Department were awarded funds through the grant program.

The annual award cap for 2025 was increased to $10,000 per applicant, which according to the release is a “substantial increase” from $7,000 in 2024 and $6,000 in 2023.

“The significant increase underscores a commitment to addressing the urgent need for resources in rural firefighting,” the release states.

Find more information on the Volunteer Fire Capacity program at forestry.alaska.gov/fire/vfc.