PRESS RELEASE
The Foundation for Rural Service (FRS), the philanthropic arm of NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association, recently announced the recipients of 23 grants totaling over $105,000 to support projects in communities served by NTCA members.
The FRS grants, coupled with support from NTCA members, will enable a broad range of community projects across rural America – from supporting first responders to providing new equipment to schools and libraries for literacy and digital inclusion efforts, expanding esports and robotics programs, and more. The following five first responder organizations have been selected to receive Community Grants of up to $5,000. The partnering NTCA member is also contributing 10% of the total award amount.
“Through the community grant program, FRS is proud to help multiply the work NTCA members are often already doing to give back so that their efforts can have an even greater impact on the communities they serve,” said FRS Executive Director Pam Becker. “We are grateful to the 23 NTCA companies that partnered with FRS this year to support these grants and would also like to thank Farm Credit East and the Carri Bennet Economic Development Fund for the additional support.”
Here is a list of the fire departments and ambulance services receiving grants:
Napoleon Rural Fire Protection District, Steele, N.D.
Awarded $4,900 to purchase infrared cameras for the Napoleon Rural Fire Protection District to increase response capabilities during a structural fire incident.
Partnering NTCA Member: BEK Communications Cooperative
Alpine Volunteer Fire Department, Alpine, Texas
Awarded $4,100 to purchase an attack line hose and a large diameter hose washer to improve safety services to citizens in the rural communities of Alpine, Brewster County and the surrounding areas.
Partnering NTCA Member: Big Bend Telephone Company
Hannibal Fire Department, Macon, Mo.
Awarded $1,265 to purchase three iPads to conduct business inspections, preplans, and respond to emergency incidents.
B.Y.E. Ambulance Service Inc., Fairview, Ill.
Awarded $5,000 to purchase laptops to use in ambulances to increase operational efficiency and enhance patient care and communications.
Partnering NTCA Member: Mid Century Telephone Cooperative
Colton Rural Fire District, Colton, Ore.
Awarded $4,977 to purchase two-way communication radios and improve firefighter safety and communication in Oregon and California when called upon to help during disasters.
Partnering NTCA Member: COLTONTEL
Churchland Volunteer Fire Department, Dobson, N.C.
Awarded $5,000 to purchase a thermal imaging camera for structure fires and in searches for missing people.
Partnering NTCA Member: Surry Telephone Membership Corporation
