Rural Fire Departments Burned by DoD-EPA Agreement

Rural fire departments across the nation will be devastated by an agreement between the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) which stops making available excess DoD vehicles that are critical to the fire departments’ ability to fight wildland fires, according to OklahomaFarmReport.com.

Through two long-standing federal programs, Oklahoma Forestry Services have assisted rural fire departments by providing no-cost military trucks re-manufactured into wildland engines and water tenders through its Rural Fire Assistance Program. Without access to the vehicles and other equipment, many rural fire departments will find it difficult to operate, as commercial trucks are cost prohibitive for most departments.

The stoppage decision by the U.S. Army Tank-Automotive Command is based in an old agreement between the DoD and EPA aimed at reducing emissions. Under the agreement, vehicles not meeting EPA emission standards would be destroyed instead of sold. It is unclear why the agreement is being enforced at this time.

Local fire departments are the first to respond to most wildfires. In many states, they are first on the scene for more than 75% of all wildfires. Quick initial response protects lives and property, and reduces fire-suppression costs for local, state and federal entities. S