Local fire departments and state safety officials announced Friday a new grant initiative that will help fund youth firefighter training programs.
The program will provide fire departments, technical colleges, and school districts with grants of up to $25,000 to develop or expand training programs for high school juniors or seniors. Applications are already open and are due Feb. 14. Department of Safety and Professional Services Secretary Dawn Crim said the program will help with recruiting new firefighters as departments struggle with staffing, especially in volunteer-based departments.
“We are excited about this grant program, and we are pleased to be able to support fire service recruitment,” DSPS Secretary Crim said.