PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Fire Marshal's Office is reinstating the Firefighter Essentials Grant Program, which will help fund 13 training programs across the state.
Fire Marshal Paul Merriman said the program was eliminated for lack of funds in 2010. To reinstate the program, a portion of the revenue from the Fire Safe Cigarette fund is being set aside. The money will help defray expenses such as books, manuals and instructor fees that fire departments will incur when they host a Firefighter Essentials class. The Fire Marshal's Office is committing $750 to each of 13 classes.
"It is vital for our firefighters to remain current in training and education,'' Merriman said. "We're pleased to be able to reinstate some funding for these classes.''
The funding is from fees paid by cigarette manufacturers to the fire safety standard act fund, created by the 2009 Legislature. The fund provides revenue to administer the fire-safe cigarette law, as well as to support fire safety and education programs.
Fire Departments interested in receiving a training grant are asked to contact the State Fire Marshal's Office at (605) 773-3562.
