State Rep. Justin Simmons, R-131st, has announced applications are available for Volunteer Fire Assistance Grants from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources .

The application period is open until May 21.

The grants are made available in coordination with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and are designed to facilitate a partnership with state officials in an effort to organize, train and equip local forces in preventing, controlling, and suppressing fires that have the potential to threaten human life, livestock, crops, pastures, woodlands, orchards and farmsteads.

The grants are available to rural areas or communities with fewer than 10,000 residents.

Grants can be used for the purchase of wildfire suppression equipment, wildfire protective gear, wildfire prevention and mitigation, wildfire training mobile or portable radios, and installation of dry hydrants. Funds may also be used for certain projects involving the conversion and maintenance of federal excess vehicles received from the Bureau of Forestry and used for fire suppression.

Financial assistance on any project during any fiscal year cannot exceed 50 percent of the actual expenditures, including expenditures of local, public and private nonprofit organizations participating in the agreement.

The maximum grant considered is $7,500 ($15,000 total project) per fire company.

Because of the high demand and limited funding, fire companies must wait five years after receiving a DCNR grant through the program to be eligible to receive another grant.

However, if a fire company received a $4,000 grant or less in the last five years, they are eligible for assistance one additional time as long as the two-year total does not exceed the maximum grant established for the program each year.

For complete grant guidelines or to apply, visit RepSimmons.com.