Rural Fire Departments in Senate District 6 Get Funding

November 20th, 2009

DURANT, Okla. – At a series of ceremonies across southern Oklahoma in the past few weeks, Senator Jay Paul Gumm, along with Reps. John Carey, Paul Roan and Samson Buck, presented checks for operational funding to rural fire departments across Atoka, Bryan, Coal, Johnston and Marshall counties.

The operational grants, funded by the Legislature through the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, are in the amount of $5,100.00. Rural volunteer fire department funding is for those departments serving communities and towns with populations of 10,000 or less. The money can be used for the day to day operation of the fire departments such as fuel, utilities, repair and equipment.

“We appreciate what you do for us,” said Senator Gumm, a Democrat from Durant. “Volunteer fire departments get just about the biggest ‘bang for the buck’ of anything funded with our tax dollars. Every dollar we spend on rural fire departments helps keep our families safe, keeps fire insurance rates as low as possible, and protects our property. In short, these dollars save us money and save lives – and it is a program I will always support.”

Representative Carey, who represents most of Bryan County in Senator Gumm’s district, thanked the firefighters for their outstanding service to their communities and expressed his continued support for the rural fire departments and emphasized that these funds provide for the safety of firefighters, improved fire protection, enhanced safety of the community residents, lessens the amount of fire damage and its costs.

Representative Roan, who shares Johnston, Atoka and Coal counties with Senator Gumm, said, “Our Oklahoma volunteer firefighters are the real heroes of Oklahoma.  They unselfishly volunteer to protect our state with no compensation.  Our citizens are saved millions of dollars from fire loss and lower insurance premiums.  The operational grants are the best return of any state dollars we appropriate.”

Representative Samson Buck, who shares Marshall County with the senator, said, “Living in rural Oklahoma I have seen and experienced firsthand the value and need of our Volunteer Fire Departments.  Words cannot express the gratitude I feel for these men and women who serve their communities.  These funds are much needed and ultimately save property and most importantly lives.”

The Rural Fire Defense Program is administered by the Southern Oklahoma Development Association (SODA) through a contract with the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture Food and Forestry.

Southern Oklahoma Development Association

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