Bruce Bailey, Resource Assistant for the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), presented a check for $3,000 to the Steelville Fire Department on July 22 as part of MDC’s Fire Department Matching Grant Program.

This statewide program helps out rural fire departments around Missouri by reimbursing funds spent to purchase firefighting equipment. A total of 169 fire departments will have received these checks, including Steelville, by the end of the summer.

According to Bill Altman, MDC Forestry Field Program Supervisor of Fire, departments can receive up to $3,000 in equipment reimbursements for purchase of personal protective gear and firefighting equipment used for wildfire or structure fires. Funding for this year’s Fire Department Matching Grant Program totals $373,585.

The Steelville Volunteer Fire Department spent more than $6,000 in equipment this year, earning them the highest amount of reimbursement. Because of the matching fund grant, the fire department was able to purchase six new mobile radios, three pistol grip hose nozzles, and 1,200 feet of polyester hose.  Senior firefighter and board member Alan Isgrigs accepted the $3,000 check from Bruce Bailey, who  himself serves on the Cuba Volunteer Fire Department, during a special meeting on Thursday, July 22.

During the last 28 years of the program, nearly $5,904,429 has been distributed to rural fire departments to help them increase the safety of not only the citizens they serve, but for themselves by providing for better firefighting equipment.