Palouse FD awarded grant for equipment

Whitman County Fire District No. 4 in Palouse has received a $13,000 matching grant for wildland firefighting equipment.

The money comes from the Washington State Department of Natural Resources’ Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant Program. The Palouse department will match $6,500 from the state to buy coveralls, helmets, boots and eye protection. The gear is designed for fighting wildland fires as opposed to other types.

“It’s completely different gear than we use for fighting structural fires,” said Mike Bagott, Palouse Fire Chief.

The main difference is the lighter weight, which makes for more...