The Department of Homeland Security has awarded Darrington Fire District 24 and Oso Fire District 25 a $593,110 grant to assist in recruiting and retaining volunteer firefighters and EMTs. The funding will be available to both for four years. The fire districts rely on volunteers to ensure that their communities are protected during emergencies. Their volunteers responded to 850 emergency calls in 2017. Resources provided include training and support necessary for responders to do their jobs. Some of the areas the grant will pay for include: Hiring a full-time captain whose primary job will be to coordinate recruitment, retention and training; A basic training program for up to 40 new and existing volunteers to the National Standard Firefighter II level; Marketing to reach out to perspective volunteer candidates in the communities.