BLM Transfers Fire Engine to the City of Vale
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Portland, Ore. – The Bureau of Land Management has completed the transfer of a wildland fire engine to the City of Vale Fire and Ambulance Department to enhance their wildland firefighting capabilities. The engine was transferred under BLM’s new Rural Fire Readiness (RFR) program, which is designed to provide equipment to local wildland firefighting partners at no cost.
This week the City of Vale Fire and Ambulance picked up the 2002 Freightliner model 70 fire engine. This model holds roughly 860 gallons of water and up to four firefighters. The City of Vale Fire and Ambulance has about 15 members and they cover an area of approximately 500 square miles.
"This is a win-win situation for BLM and the City of Vale. It will only enhance our already strong cooperative working relationship as it brings more fire resources to the fight regardless of jurisdiction," said BLM’s Rural Fire Readiness program lead, Brent Meisinger.
Cooperative partnerships between the BLM and local and rural fire departments, including Rangeland Fire Protection Associations, are crucial to remote wildfire response on private, state and federal lands affecting grazing, recreational, wildlife and other values important to local economies.
The BLM accepts applications from local fire departments and Rangeland Fire Protection Associations for available vehicles, equipment and supplies. The BLM will transfer excess items to local fire departments and Rangeland Fire Protection Associations during the fall and winter months, prior to the next fire season.
To receive wildland firefighting vehicles, equipment and supplies through the RFR program, local fire departments and Rangeland Fire Protection Associations must meet a number of requirements including:
- Have an existing cooperative fire response agreement with the BLM;
- Serve a rural community or area;
- Have wildland fire protection responsibilities; and
- Be in close proximity to BLM-administered lands and respond to wildland fires in support of BLM when available and as needed
Information on the BLM fire program can be found on the Oregon/Washington fire website: https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-info/oregon-washington.
For information on the BLM’s RFR program, please contact Brent Meisinger at (541) 219-6031, or by email at: bmeising@blm.gov.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.