Lake Viking fire department to receive matching grant check

Viking Valley Fire Department recently received a matching funds grant check in the amount of $3,000, distributed by the Missouri Department of Conservation Forestry Division staff. The grant went toward the purchase of one nozzle and one skid unit. The fire department expended $8,200.

One hundred seventh-seven fire departments will be receiving checks of up to $3,000 to help them with the purchase of personal protective gear, and fire fighting equipment, for wildfire as well as structure fires. The total funding for fire department matching grants this year is $381,159.

Fire departments are required to match these funds which are provided by the US Forest Service and the Missouri Department of Conservation. During the last 27 years nearly $5,530,844 has been distributed to Rural Fire Departments to help them increase the safety of their fighters and provide them with better fire fighting equipment.

Pictured are Matt McDaniel of the Missouri Department of Conservation and Larry Hillman, Viking Valley Fire Chief.