Sunrise Beach Fire Protection District receives state grant for equipment

The Sunrise Beach Fire Protection District announced it received a new $3,000 state grant Thursday morning.

According to the fire protection district, the funds come from the Missouri Department of Conservation. The grant matches the fire district’s expenses for wild-land firefighting equipment dollar for dollar.

“We are very pleased to receive this support from the Missouri Department of Conservation and have put this money to good use,” said Fire Chief Dennis Reilly.

Fire district leaders said the money was used to purchase personal protective equipment designed for use in wild-land/natural cover fires.

“Natural cover fires make up a large number of the incidents that we respond to and these fires have the potential to significantly threaten property and lives,” said Reilly.

The fire protection district told ABC 17 News the equipment purchased with the help of the state grant will allow it to expand its firefighting capabilities.

The Sunrise Fire Protection District covers more than 60 square miles on and around the Lake of the Ozarks in northern Camden and southern Morgan counties. The district has two staffed stations and 17 full-time firefighters.

Emergency crews with the fire protection district respond to more than 750 emergency calls each year, including medical and injury-related incidents.