The Bureau of Land Management to transfer radios in support of local wildland firefighting partners
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MONTROSE, Colo. – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Southwest Colorado Fire and Aviation Management Unit (SWCFAMU Fire) plans to transfer 23 Digital Mobile Radios to Montrose County Sheriff’s Posse and another 23 digital mobile radios (DMRs) to the Nucla/Naturita/Paradox Fire Department to enhance their wildland firefighting capabilities. The transfer is authorized under the BLM’s Rural Fire Readiness (RFR) program, which is designed to provide equipment to local wildland firefighting partners at no cost.
This transfer furthers the Trump Administration’s commitment to working with local partners to ensure they have necessary equipment and support for protecting public safety and property. Through the RFR Program, the BLM has transferred 35 fully equipped fire engines to local fire departments across the west, as well as tens of thousands of feet of fire hose, water tanks, pump kits, communications equipment, drip torches and other tools, and hundreds of pieces of personal gear, including packs and fire-resistant clothing.
“BLM Southwest Colorado Fire works to maintain strong partnerships with local communities in wildland fire management,” stated SWCFAMU Fire Management Officer Brandon Lewis. “Being able to make equipment such as these digital mobile radios available to Montrose County goes a long way toward strengthening wildland fire response capabilities throughout our area.”
Such cooperative partnerships between the BLM, local, and rural fire departments are vital in providing effective wildfire response in remote areas on private, state, and federal lands affecting grazing, recreational, wildlife and other values important to local economies. Rangeland Fire Protection Associations (RFPA) comprised of ranchers and farmers are a model for neighbors helping neighbors, as these volunteer firefighters provide initial attack and respond right alongside their BLM counterparts. They bring valuable knowledge of local access routes into remote areas, along with a strong motivation to protect the land.
In order, to receive wildland firefighting vehicles, equipment, and supplies through the RFR program, local fire departments and RFPAs must:
- Have an existing cooperative fire response agreement with the BLM
- Serve a rural community or area
- Have wildland fire protection responsibilities
- Be near BLM-administered lands and respond to wildland fires in support of the BLM when available and as needed.
For more information on the RFR program, contact Brandon Lewis, SWCFAMU Fire Management Officer at bclewis@blm.gov.
-BLM-
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.