RILEY COUNTY (KSNT) – A volunteer fire department is getting new equipment, thanks to two recent grants.
Fighting wildfires in rural Riley County can mean going where a fire truck can’t. One firefighter said two grants awarded earlier this month will help give their volunteer crews the equipment needed to reach those hard-to-access areas.
First, a nearly $28,000 grant from the U.S. Department of the Interior will go to purchase a new skid unit with a 400-gallon high-pressure pump system, an upgrade from the district’s current 250-gallon unit.
“The slip-in unit is a big help,” said Fire Chief Doug Russell with Riley County Fire District #1. “It’s replacing an 80s model that’s on a 90s model’s chassis truck. Again, the hose packs they’ll carry 500 feet of hose in a very compact space. And so that’s crucial. In some of the conditions we’re fighting currently.”
The second grant through the Kansas Forest Service (KFS) will go toward additional wildland firefighting equipment. The fire district is putting up about $3,800, with the KFS matching that amount for a total of just over $7,600.
Vice President JD Vance coming to Topeka, here’s when
“It’s a 50/50 match grant,” said Deputy Chief Jake Konrardy. “They will reimburse us 50% of the total cost. We’re going to use that to purchase a progressive hose like packs. So, a longer hose to reach in a lot of the areas where we can’t get a truck to down some hillsides, especially up in around the lake.”
Fire officials said the existing skid unit will stay in service as a backup, giving crews an additional resource during larger fires.
For more crime news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.
