U.S. Bureau of Land Management southwest Idaho staff with two-way radios for distribution to wildland fire partners. (Courtesy BLM Boise District)

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management Boise District fire and aviation program provided 109 hand-held, two-way radios to 18 rural fire organizations that fight wildland fires.

The radios, provided through BLM’s rural fire readiness program, will enhance communication and coordination between the local organizations and the bureau, “improving wildfire response across the region,” according to a district news release.

“These radios are a critical tool for ensuring seamless communication between our agency and our rural firefighting partners,” said Chris Cromwell, BLM Boise District fire management officer. “By strengthening interagency coordination, we can improve response times, increase firefighter and public safety and better protect the communities we serve.”

BLM’s rural readiness program provides free training and free equipment that the agency no longer needs to firefighting partners that meet requirements. Eligible rural fire organizations adjacent to bureau-administered lands must have an existing cooperative agreement to respond to wildfires in support of BLM as needed.

Recipients

The organizations that received the radios:

Fire departments: Bruneau, Horseshoe Bend, Indian Valley, Payette.

Fire protection districts: New Plymouth, Sand Hollow, Gem Nos. 1 and 2, Midvale, Upper Deer Flat.

Rangeland fire protection associations: Black Canyon, Weiser River, Owyhee, Mountain Home, Saylor Creek.

Fire districts: Murphy-Reynolds-Wilson, Weiser Area Rural.

Fire and rescue: Silver City.

Program detail: https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/rural-fire-readiness-program