Volunteer fire departments across western and central Nebraska have an opportunity to pursue new funding and fundraising support as departments face heightened demands during an active wildfire season.
With drought conditions persisting across parts of Nebraska and wildfire activity ramping up early this spring — including the state’s largest recorded wildfires in March — resources for rural volunteer fire departments are under renewed focus.
Nutella’s “Stacks for Giving Back” program, in partnership with the National Volunteer Fire Council and Pearl Milling Company, is offering $50,000 in grants to volunteer fire departments, with 10 departments set to receive $5,000 each. The application period is open through April 30.
Departments eligible to apply must be more than 50 percent volunteer, serve communities of 25,000 people or fewer, and have at least one active NVFC member. Grant funding can be used for equipment and gear, recruitment and retention efforts, training initiatives, community outreach or other department needs.
For many rural Nebraska departments, where volunteer crews often serve as the first line of defense during grassfires and other emergencies, added funding can help support readiness during a demanding fire season.
In addition to the grants, community members can nominate local fire departments to receive one of 350 pancake breakfast kits designed to support department fundraisers. The kits include pancake supplies, promotional materials and other materials to help departments host fundraising breakfasts. Nominations are also open through April 30.
As volunteer departments continue preparing for what could be a challenging wildfire season, both the grant funding and fundraising support offer potential resources for departments across the region.
Applications for the fire department grants and nominations for the pancake breakfast kits are available through the National Volunteer Fire Council’s “Stacks for Giving Back” program.