HARMONY — Harmony Fire District received a $10,000 matching grant from the administration of Gov. Tom Wolf this week in recognition of Fire Prevention Week and the service of volunteer firefighters throughout the state.

The state grant will be used to cover the cost of upgrading the radio system as part of a countywide mandatory radio upgrade that must be completed by the end of 2018.

“We surely needed it,” said Fire Chief Scott Garing. “Just like every other grant we apply for, if we can deter some funding within the fire district, it’s worthwhile. Our operating budget supports the payments for the apparatus, (but) the rest of the money is made through fundraising and grants to be able to purchase and upgrade equipment.”

The funding is part of a total $646,891 being used to help rural communities guard against the threat of wildfires in the state’s forests and other undeveloped areas.

“Across the state, these funds will benefit 132 volunteer fire companies serving rural areas and communities where forest and brush fires are common,” said Cindy Adams Dunn, secretary of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, in a news release. “To appreciate the value of well-equipped and highly trained wildfire fighters, one only has to look outside Pennsylvania to the horrific fires that sometimes plague other states.”

Dunn said the readiness displayed in the men and women responding to calls is a necessary investment.

“These grants allow firefighters from smaller companies to concentrate more on public safety and training while easing their fiscal constraints,” she said.

Garing said Wednesday that the district also was recently made aware of its acceptance as a recipient of the PA Act 13 Unconventional Well Drilling Grant for $3,700.

“Since we have a bunch of wells we’re responsible for in our area, they give you money to support equipment that has to do with natural gas operations,” Garing said. “While it doesn’t seem like a lot, it’s still money we can put toward something.”

Garing said this was the first time the district has received a grant from DCNR, but it received the PA Act 13 grant last year which was used for training and education at the fire district.

“It’s a team effort to apply for grants,” he said. “We all help each other out so we don’t get too overwhelmed with the administrative side of the fire district.”