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South Dakota government grants millions to volunteer fire departments

A firefighter monitors a prescribed burn at Wind Cave National Park in 2008. Officials hope to hold a similar prescribed burn on Sunday and Monday.
Tom Ferrell
/
Wind Cave National Park
A firefighter monitors a prescribed burn

Over 250 volunteer fire departments across South Dakota will get a slice of a $5 million pie to fund upgraded protective equipment.

The grant money comes from HB 1127, which appropriated general funds from the Department of Public Safety specifically to bolster volunteer fire departments.

Items like new boots, gloves, wildland firefighting gear, and breathing devices are approved in the grant.

With the money going all over the state, departments received anywhere from $720 in Lodgepole to over $40,000 in Doland, Gayville, Lake Norden, Leola, Martin and Springfield.

C.J. Keene is a Rapid City-based journalist covering the legal system, education, and culture