2020 Sierra National Forest Creek Fire in California
Credit: USFS

February 10, 2024 - Washington, D.C. – This week, the U.S. Department of the Interior launched a $5 million pilot program to help small, rural emergency response agencies quickly expand their wildfire response capacity by converting vehicles to wildland fire engines. The program is funded through provisions Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) fought for and passed as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

“I fought to include record support to combat wildfires in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and I’m continuing to work to make sure that funding gets into the Silver State,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “This new program will help rural emergency response agencies across the country upgrade their equipment and I urge Nevada communities to take advantage of this opportunity.”

The pilot program can be used by local governments that provide emergency services to areas with a population of less than 25,000. Grants would help communities purchase slip-on tanker units to quickly convert trucks and other vehicles into wildland fire engines. Senator Cortez Masto has consistently championed programs to expand access to slip-on tankers through both the Bipartisan Infrastructure Lawand through her comprehensive Western Wildfire Support Act. More information and the grant application link is available here.      

Senator Cortez Masto has led efforts to support Nevada firefighters and combat the wildfire crisis in the West. In addition to her comprehensive legislation to prevent wildfires, she’s pushing for permanent pay raises for federal firefighters. She secured billions in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support wildfire risk reduction, including $8 billion for wildfire prevention, suppression, and restoration activities and $10 million for wildfire detection equipment.
Source: Senator Catherine Cortez Masto