The Arizona Bureau of Land Management (BLM) recently transferred a field firefighting equipment to one of Yuma County’s rural field firefighting partners. BLM Arizona Colorado River District transferred a Type 6 field fire truck and boat to the Lake Martinez Fire Department to support the local response to the wildfires in Yuma County.
BLM Yuma, Arizona Field Office Assistant Field Manager Ray Castro joins Colorado River Area Fire Chief Rob Roy Williams on June 7, 2023 with Lake Martinez Fire Chief Jody Little and Fire District Chief Charlie Bush handed over the key to
“On behalf of the state and residents of Lake Martinez, thank you!” President Bush said. This engine is a great addition, enhancing our firefighting capabilities and helping us better serve our communities. ”
The engine and boat were provided to the Lake Martinez Fire Department under BLM’s Rural Fire Response (RFR) program. This program works with BLM to provide equipment to eligible departments to assist with fire response on public lands. Local partnerships between BLM and local fire departments are critical to the response to wildfires on private, state and federal lands that affect grazing, recreation, wildlife and other values important to local economies .
The RFR program serves as a mechanism to fund partners to relocate BLM firefighting equipment, increase safety and reduce suppression reaction time. These equipment transfers strengthen already strong partnerships as they bring more firefighting resources to the battlefield, regardless of jurisdiction.
BLM accepts RFR applications for available vehicles, equipment and supplies from local fire departments and transfers surplus items to local fire departments in the months leading up to the next fire season.
For more information on the RFR program, contact your local BLM office and visit the BLM Rural Fire Readiness webpage (https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/rural-fire-readiness). -program).
