Ten fire companies in Carbon, Schuylkill and Lehigh counties are among the volunteer organizations that have been awarded state grants to help them increase protection from wildfires.

Gov. Tom Wolf announced a total of $602,306 in grants were awarded to qualifying local firefighting forces in rural areas and communities with fewer than 10,000 people. The funding may be used for training and equipment purchases directly related to fighting brush and forest fires.

Four of the 10 companies are in Carbon County, including the Aquashicola Fire Company, which will receive $1,640; Mahoning Valley Volunteer Fire Company, $5,182; Nesquehoning Fire Company, $4,910; and Towamensing Township Fire Company, $10,000.

In Schuylkill County, the recipients are the McAdoo Fire Company, $10,000; Sheppton-Oneida Fire Company, $9,985; Good Will Fire Company, Port Carbon, $970; Tremont Fire Company, $5,134; and William Penn Fire Company, Shenandoah, $1,456, while the Lynnport Fire Company in Lehigh County will receive $3,824.

”Our first responders take their responsibility to protect communities and our natural resources very seriously and an important way to show our appreciation is to ensure they have the necessary tools and resources,” Wolf said. “These grants will allow our first responders to prepare for and, if needed, douse dangerous wildfires so that our communities remain safe.”

Grants are awarded on a cost-share basis. The maximum grant awarded in 2021 is $10,000 and cannot exceed 50% of the actual expenditures of local, public and private nonprofit organizations in the agreement. Priority was placed on projects that include the purchase of wildfire suppression equipment and protective clothing. Grants may also be used for purchasing mobile or portable radios, installing dry hydrants, wildfire prevention and mitigation work, training wildfire fighters, or converting and maintaining federal excess vehicles.