RUTLAND, Mass. — Nearly 40 communities will receive federal funding to help with volunteer fire assistance.

The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation announced the nearly $90,000 in funding at the Rutland Fire Department Friday.

The grant money was given to municipalities with nonprofit rural, call or volunteer fire departments to help with training and fire prevention efforts and to purchase the necessary supplies and new equipment to enhance their ability to protect forest resources across the state.

“I've so appreciated the critical role that our wildland firefighters have to our communities throughout the Commonwealth, and especially as we see these extreme shifts in weather due to climate change that are often increasing the risks that we are for forest fires,” said DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo. “Our ability to contain and minimize the impact of forest fires throughout the Commonwealth is directly impacted with how quickly and how strongly we can coordinate and respond to these emergency situations."   

Towns awarded include Barre, Brookfield, Rutland, Sutton and Upton.

To be considered for a VFA grant, fire departments must be made up of at least 80% call or volunteer firefighters.