Volunteer fire departments in Grant County are receiving wildfire suppression kits thanks to a grant from the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Forestry Division.
According to the Sheridan Headlight newspaper, the Cane Creek, Prattsville, Tull, and Center Grove volunteer departments were awarded equipment valued at about $3,000.
The newspaper quoted Tull Volunteer Chief Jerry Bales as saying the term wildfire suppression kits is a “little misleading” since the kits contain a variety of equipment including high-quality blowers, rakes, fire-resistant coveralls and gloves, and personal mobile water tanks.
Bales said the water tanks allow firefighters to spray water on the move without being tied to a fire truck.
The state previously received a nearly $300,000 grant from the federal government which made the purchase of the kits possible.
Nearly 100 other volunteer departments will also receive the kits, the newspaper said.
