New BLM program to give firefighting equipment to local agencies

IDHAO FALLS — The Bureau of Land Management plans to enhance wildland firefighting capabilities by transferring excess vehicles, equipment and supplies to local fire departments and Rangeland Fire Protection Associations in Idaho.

(Rangeland Fire Protection Associations are “groups of ranchers professionally trained and legally allowed to utilize interagency fire suppression resources,” according to the Idaho Department of Lands.)

According to the BLM, eastern Idaho had 140 fires burning 113,152 acres in 2018. These fires are fought with other federal and state agencies, local fire departments, and RFPAs.

“Local fire departments and Rangeland Fire Protection Associations are critical partners of the BLM in wildland firefighting in Idaho,” said BLM Idaho State Director Peter Ditton in a news release. “We appreciate the opportunity to augment their capability to respond to wildland fires safely and effectively through the Rural Fire Readiness program.”

The supplies available to qualifying departments and associations would come at not cost and include wildland fire engines, water tenders, radios, pumps, hose, chainsaws, hand tools, personal protective equipment, fire shelters and other items the BLM no longer needs.

“With excess equipment, it’s great it can find its way into the hands that need it,” Ken Frederick, spokesman for BLM in Idaho, told EastIdahoNews.com

To receive wildland firefighting vehicles, equipment and supplies through the RFR program, local fire departments and RFPAs must meet a set of guidelines.

1. They must have an existing cooperative fire response agreement with the BLM
2. They must serve a rural community or area
3. They must have wildland fire protection responsibilities
4. They must be located in the vicinity of, or within, the wildland urban interface
5. They must be in close proximity to BLM-administered lands and respond to wildland fires in support of BLM when available and as needed.

Frederick says all nine of the RFPAs in Idaho and the 150 departments that have co-op agreements with the BLM qualify for this program.

The BLM is currently accepting applications from local fire departments and RFPA to receive any available vehicles, equipment and supplies. The agency expects to complete the initial application and evaluation process in December and to start transferring the excess items to local fire departments and RFPAs prior to next fire season. The BLM also plans on launching a second round of program in mid 2019.