Several Local Fire Departments Awarded Grants

Several local fire departments are receiving grants.

Nearly $350,000 in 50 percent cost-share grants were recently awarded to 105 rural fire departments across Iowa to help their efforts to protect Iowans and their property from wildfires. 

The grants offer funding assistance for wildfire suppression, personal protective and communications equipment. Requests were received from 180 fire departments totaling over $565,000 in requests, showing a great need across rural areas of our state.

Among the local fire departments awarded 2025 Volunteer Fire Assistance grants are Anamosa, Center Point, Garnavillo, Guttenberg, Hopkinton, Luana, McGregor, Monticello, New Vienna/Luxemburg, Postville, Strawberry Point and West Union.

These grants are made possible through Iowa DNR Forestry, in cooperation with US Forest Service – State and Private Forestry.

Jason Walker, fire supervisor with DNR Forestry, reminds all fire departments of the importance of submitting Wildland Fire Reports whenever they respond to a wildland fire or provide assistance to a prescribed or controlled wildland fire.

Departments returning these reports receive priority points when the Fire Assistance grant applications are scored. These wildland fire reports are compiled locally and nationally and are reported to Congress.