(INDIANAPOLIS) – A total of 100 rural and volunteer fire departments in 54 Indiana counties are receiving funds from a State agency.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Forestry has awarded $453,386 in Volunteer Fire Assistance Capacity Awards. The funds will be used for training, radios, or to purchase necessary firefighting equipment and gear to combat wildland fires.

Recipients were selected based on population density, acres of public lands protected and wildland fire reporting to DNR Fire Control Headquarters. The awarded grants range from $1,090 to $5,000.

LaGrange County’s Howe Volunteer Fire Department will receive $3,715 and the LaGrange Volunteer Fire Department is getting $5,000. Both are going to use the money for buying radios and pagers.

The Albion Fire Department in Noble County will get $5,000 for safety items such as SCBA and Turn Out Gear.

The Angola Volunteer Fire Department, the Fremont Volunteer Fire Department and the Metz Fire Department, all in Steuben County, are each receiving $5,000. They will also use the money for safety items, including SCBA and Turn Out Gear.

In DeKalb County, the Garrett Volunteer Fire Department is receiving $3,958 to purchase safety items.

In Elkhart County, the Cleveland Township Fire Department is getting $2,500 and the Jefferson Township Fire Department is getting $2,555. Both departments will use the money for Wildland Firefighting Assistance.