Rural Fire Readiness

Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Wyoming is participating in the Rural Fire Readiness (RFR) program. RFR authority consist of two separate programs. The Equipment Transfer program is intended to provide a streamlined process for BLM to transfer no longer needed firefighting equipment to local cooperators in strategic areas that benefit BLM’s wildland fire mission. The Local Cooperator Assistance (LCA) program, provides funding to BLM States and local units to conduct wildland fire training, establishes cooperative fire response agreements, and builds relationships with local cooperators. Overall these two programs comprise the Rural Fire Readiness authority with both programs providing assistance that increases the capability and capacity of local cooperators, while increasing the safety and effectiveness of the collaborative wildland fire response. 

Eligibility Criteria
A local cooperator must meet ALL of the requirements below to be considered for BLM RFR equipment transfers.

• The local cooperator has an existing cooperative fire response agreement with BLM. The agreement can either be directly with a BLM unit or through a statewide master agreement.
• The local cooperator continues to be in compliance with the cooperative fire response agreement, to include the following elements (Interagency Standards for Fire and Fire Aviation Operations, ch.2 Agreements with Cooperators):
  • 18 years of age or older
  • Have basic wildland fire training
  • Have and use the required personal protective equipment (PPE)
  • Pre-identified incident communication protocols
  • Utilization of the Incident Command System
• The cooperator serves a rural community, has wildland fire responsibilities, and is in the vicinity of or within the wildland urban interface. Rangeland Fire Protection Associations (RFPA) automatically meet this requirement because they serve a rural geographic area within their response boundary.
• The local cooperator must be in close proximity to BLM administered lands and respond to wildland fires in support of BLM when available and as needed.
• The local cooperator’s response to wildland incidents provides a benefit to BLM.

Transferable Items
The following categories of items are allowable for the RFR equipment transfer program:

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and basic gear (e.g., gloves, hardhats, wildland Nomex shirts and pants or coveralls, eye and ear protection, fireline packs, canteens, headlamps and fusees)
• New generation fire shelters and cases (training shelters are also allowable);
• Communications equipment (Wildland fire approved handheld radios, mobile units for ground vehicles.)
• Basic tools and equipment: hand tools, hose, water handling equipment, fittings and accessories;
• Wildland firefighting equipment acquired from BLM through the “Direct Transfer” authority (wildland fire engines, water tenders and dozers);

It is a priority for local cooperators to have adequate PPE and communications equipment prior to being awarded other types of firefighting equipment.

A list of available fire apparatus from BLM Wyoming will be produced each year.  When applying for the program please identify what apparatus or equipment your department would like to apply for.  Some fire apparatus are available for direct transfer others may have some buy out cost.  Buy out cost will be listed along with the available apparatus. This buy out cost is based on the remaining life cycle cost to replace the apparatus.

Applications will be accepted at blm_wy_fire@blm.gov or hard copies can be mailed to:

BLM Wyoming Fire
5353 Yellowstone Road
Cheyenne, WY 82009

Applications must be received by March 27, 2024 annually and will be reviewed by a panel of fire staff at the State Office as well as at the BLM National Office of Fire and Aviation. 

Applications, questions or requests for additional information can be sent to blm_wy_fire@blm.gov.