The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Forestry has approved federal pass-through grant funding for two volunteer fire departments in Lawrence County.

The grant, designed to assist and improve fire departments serving communities with populations under 10,000, was awarded to Coal Grove and Perry Township volunteer fire departments, along with 20 other fire departments.

“These grants provide valuable resources to assist local fire departments in providing wildland and rural community fire protection,” said David Lytle, chief of the ODNR Division of Forestry. “The division is committed to helping local fire departments with limited budgets effectively perform their duties.”

According to the ODNR, of the 1,300 fire departments in Ohio, there are about 900 that rely primarily on volunteers, with annual budgets around $35,000. Some even operate on budgets of $10,000 or less.

A press release from the ODNR stated that the fire departments would receive 10 complete sets of clothing suitable for fighting wildland fires, each valued at $456.

The sets include lightweight Nomex shirts and pants, a hardhat, goggles, leather gloves and a fire shelter.