Rocky Ford Fire Department Awarded the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant
Description: Rocky Ford Fire Department Among Nine Rural Colorado Fire Departments Receiving $1.3 Million Grant to Provide Essential Training, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and Monthly Stipends, Making it Easier for Community Members to Volunteer...
Rocky Ford Fire Department Awarded the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant
The Rocky Ford Fire Department has been awarded the "Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response" (SAFER) Grant, aimed at supporting volunteer fire departments in rural Colorado. The Rock Creek Volunteer Fire Department will manage this regional grant, which benefits nine rural fire districts. These departments provide protection for approximately 127,000 residents across 4,054 square miles of rural Colorado.
“Our volunteer firefighters deserve the absolute best, and this regional grant effort will help ensure we give them the best. Volunteerism numbers have significantly dropped throughout the years. So, this grant will help rebuild and support long-term volunteer firefighting recruitment and retention in the rural setting. Volunteer firefighters give so much to their communities. It’s time we give back.”-Fire Chief Ray Gonzales
"This is a turning point for rural fire departments across Colorado," said Chief Brita Horn of Rock Creek Fire. "For years, the issue of declining volunteer numbers has been talked about, but little has been done to address it. This grant allows us to take meaningful action, providing both new recruits and long-serving firefighters with the support they need."
This $1,312,470 grant addresses the challenges of recruiting and retaining volunteers in rural areas, exacerbated by rising living costs and limited job opportunities. The funding will provide essential training, personal protective equipment (PPE), and monthly stipends, making it easier for community members to volunteer.
More about the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) FEMA Grant...
Nine Colorado Regional Fire Departments Receive this Grant for Volunteers and Recruitment & Retention including: Hotchkiss Fire District, Crawford Fire District, Paonia Fire District, Yampa Fire Protection District, Rocky Ford Fire Department, Palisade Fire Department, 4 Mile Fire Protection District, Upper Pine River Fire Protection District, and Rock Creek Volunteer Fire Department (Bond/McCoy VFD).
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