The Rico Fire Protection District in Dolores County has won a $43,116 competitive grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to enhance emergency preparedness for fire fighting efforts in town.
The grant award was announced by Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet and it is funded by the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program. The money will be used for 20 sets of turnout gear for firefighters.
"This is a huge improvement for the safety of the firemen," said Rico Fire Chief Todd Jones. "We have to depend on grant money and donations because our tax base has been going down and our budget has been drastically cut."
Twenty-four registered volunteers are committed to the Rico Fire Department, and they have been using hand-me down gear and equipment when fighting fires, Jones said. The DHS grant will help pay for specialized fire coats, pants, boots and helmets.
Rural fire districts struggle to pay for emergency equipment and fire trucks and must cover large areas. Emergency calls are often in remote, rugged places.
This summer, the Rico Fire Department was also awarded a $20,000 grant from the Rico Center, a non-profit organization that raises funds for community projects.
A 1,600-gallon used tanker truck will be purchased from the Cortez Fire Protection District with $10,000 of the money. The remaining money will be used toward outfitting the unit with equipment.
"Cortez Fire is giving us an excellent deal, and we will pay it forward by assisting them when needed," Jones said. "This will be our only water truck so it is essential. We tried to repair an older tanker we have, but found it was too cost prohibitive."
Last year, the Rico Fire Department was successful in obtaining a $36,000 grant from the Colorado Department of Homeland Security to help pay for self-contained breathing apparatus equipment. The packs allow firefighters to enter smoke-filled structures for rescue efforts.
Chief Jones said his department focuses on grant writing and assistance from regional fire districts with the intention of providing support services in return.
"We provide mutual aid for Montezuma and San Miguel counties, and we also cover the Groundhog area. This tanker from Cortez Fire will help us get to that remote location with some water," he said.
Rico Fire will be hosting a small, kid-friendly festival in town during the Labor Day weekend as part of a fundraiser.
"Coloradoans know too well the devastation wildfires can cause to our communities," Senator Bennet said in announcing the award. "We must do everything we can to ensure our firefighters and first responders have the necessary tools for prevention and suppression."
