In January 2010, federal, state and county firefighters teamed up to suppress a wildland fire burning through ohia forest in Kealakekua mauka. (Photo special to Hawaii 24/7 by Al Aviles)

MEDIA RELEASE

Park Superintendent Cindy Orlando has announced Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has obtained $15,600 in funding from the U.S. Department of Interior’s Rural Fire Assistance Program.

The funds will be awarded to the county Fire Department to upgrade or purchase wildland firefighting equipment and support training of firefighters.

The Rural Fire Assistance Program is intended to strengthen the fire protection capabilities of rural fire districts and enhance firefighter and public safety.

“Safe and effective fire suppression in the wildland/urban interface requires close coordination between federal, state, and county firefighters,” said National Park Service Fire Management Officer Joe Molhoek. ”Hawaii County gives us tremendous support in protecting park lands and this is one way the National Park Service can reciprocate by helping the county upgrade their wildland fire safety equipment and skills.”

The National Fire Plan ensued after the 2000 fire season when almost 123,000 wildland fires burned more than 8.4 million acres and destroyed numerous structures across the United States.

Subsequently, recommendations were developed on how to reduce the impacts of fire on rural communities and ensure sufficient firefighting resources for the future. The plan recognized the need for close cooperation between federal, state, local and tribal government agencies.

To improve firefighter safety and enhance the wildland fire protection capabilities of rural and volunteer fire departments when responding to wildland fires, the U.S. Congress authorized establishment of the Rural Fire Assistance Program and appropriated $10 million to the Department of the Interior to initiate the program.