Local fire departments in Washita, Kiowa, Greer and Beckham Counties will benefit from thousands of dollars in cost-sharing grants from the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry's "Volunteer Fire Assistance-National Fire Plan Grant Program," according to Sen. Gilmer Capps, D-Snyder.

Sen. Capps, along with Rep. Joe Dorman, D-Rush Springs, Rep. Jack Bonny, D-Burns Flat, and Rep. Purcy Walker, D-Elk City, announced the fire department grants Thursday.

Capps said the forthcoming cost-sharing grants are the result of a strong effort by area legislators to protect and further develop the capabilities of rural fire departments.

"The fine work our fire departments do in the rural areas of Oklahoma will be recognized and sustained through these grants. I commend my colleagues in the House for working with me to see that our area receives the help it needs to continue providing vital services," Capps remarked.

The federally funded 50/50 cost-sharing grants, which are awarded by the state Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, are administered by the Rural Fire Defense Program of the department's Forestry Division. The grants allow departments to expand their training efforts or purchase equipment.

Capps added that the Forestry Division distributes the grant money after fire departments have spent local funds on projects they deem necessary to improve their operations.

"What the cost-sharing grant program does is provide a reimbursement of 50 percent of qualifying expenses. After the departments have spent their own funds on projects that qualify under the rules of the grant program, the state will pay back 50 percent of those costs with the federal funds made available to the Forestry Division," Capps said.

-- From staff reports