State money will help pay for equipment
Dec 29, 2020
Mention the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and for many people the first thing that comes to mind are the state parks. Fishing licenses and efforts to stop pollution are other things the department is well known for. But few probably realize that it has a role in supporting rural and wildland firefighting efforts.
The fire departments in Otho and Lohrville have recently benefitted from the support of the DNR. Both received grants to help them pay for needed equipment.
The Otho Fire Department received $2,239. It will be used to help pay for new digital radios.
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Two area volunteer fire departments have received state grants that will pay half the cost of equipment purchases.
The Otho Fire Department received a grant of $2,239.
“That is partially paying for our digital radios,” Fire Chief Marty Smith said.
Public safety agencies in Webster County are converting to a digital radio system intended to provide clear transmissions over longer distances. According to Smith, the county government has purchased radios and issued them to the smaller fire departments. Those departments have to pay the county for the radios. The Otho department is using grant money to make that payment.