The Bureau of Land Management of Idaho Falls has transferred surplus wildland fire engines and equipment to 34 fire programs — including two Rangeland Fire Protection Associations (RFPAs) — across eastern Idaho.
That includes the Downey Fire Department, which received a firetruck.
“The Rural Fire Readiness program helps both the BLM and Downey respond to local wildfires,” said Chris Sorensen, Downey Fire Chief. “This engine upgrades the Downey Fire District’s program and we will put it to good use.”
The transfers are part of BLM’s effort to respond to rural wildland fires by giving excess equipment and supplies to local fire departments and RFPAs.
Under BLM’s new Rural Fire Readiness (RFR) program, local fire programs that meet certain requirements may receive at no cost wildland fire engines, pumps, hose, chainsaws, hand tools and other items the BLM no longer needs.