National Fire Plan Success Story

Park Provides Funding for Rural Fire Assistance
Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio
National Fire Plan - Community Assistance
2010

Cuyahoga Valley National Park announced a $2,100.00 grant for Rural Fire Assistance (RFA) to the Bath Fire Department in Akron, Ohio. Bath Fire Department provides fire protection to a portion of Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP). The funding provides for wildland firefighting hand tools and equipment. Cuyahoga Valley National Park encompasses 33,000 acres along the Cuyahoga River between Cleveland and Akron.

The RFA program is primarily designed to increase firefighter safety and enhance the fire protection capabilities of rural fire departments. This is achieved by assisting those departments in meeting or exceeding accepted standards of wildland fire qualifications, training, and performance. Emphasis is placed on departments that protect rural communities and play a substantial cooperative role in the protection of federal lands such as Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The National Park Service recognizes the important role that all local fire departments play in the protection of our public lands. 

Acting Superintendent Paul Stoehr commented, “We are pleased to provide this grant to support Bath Fire Department’s efforts to respond to fires either in the community or in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. It is an excellent opportunity to continue our cooperative working relationship by providing them with much needed tools and equipment.” 

The RFA is a cost share grant in which the National Park Service provides 90% of the funding and the fire department matches with a 10% in-kind donation.

Contact: Chris Ryan, Chief Ranger, (440) 546-5940.