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The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources awarded $883,143 in grants to fire departments across the state on Monday, Oct. 16 to increase protection from wildfires in rural communities and encourage fire safety.

Together, six municipalities in Butler County were awarded $33,813. The recipients included Callery Volunteer Fire Company ($3,368), Evans City Area Fire Department ($12,500), Harrisville Volunteer Fire Company ($12,500), Herman Volunteer Fire Company ($3,205), North Washington Volunteer Fire Department ($1,107) and West Sunbury Volunteer Fire Department ($1,133).

“Grant programs like these are essential financial pipelines, providing firefighters with the mission-critical training, equipment, and supplies needed to safely and successfully complete their missions,” state Fire Commissioner Thomas Cook said.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, grants are awarded on a cost-share basis, and “cannot exceed 50 percent of the actual expenditures of local, public, and private nonprofit organizations in the agreement.”

The maximum grant awarded in 2023 is $12,500, and was the full amount received by both Harrisville and Evans City.

“Grants may also be used for purchasing mobile or portable radios, installing dry hydrants, wildfire prevention and mitigation work, training wildfire fighters, or converting and maintaining federal excess vehicles,” the news release said.

The full list of grant recipients can be viewed on the DCNR’s website.