The Texas A&M Forest Service has distributed $1.3 million in grants to rural fire departments in the state this month.
Seven departments in the panhandle received money.
Booker, Dawn, Kress, Lake Tanglewood and Lazbuddie each received $20,000.
Boys Ranch and Perryton both got $10,000.
In total, the Texas legislature has allocated about $22 million to the Forest Service for the Fiscal Year 2024 to award through the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program. The money will help departments buy fire and rescue equipment, personal protective gear and training aids.
Another round of funding distribution is tentatively scheduled for August. The Rural VFD Assistance Program was established in 2001 and has awarded more than $350 million to VFDs in Texas.