Fifty-five rural regional fire departments in Ohio were approved for federal grant funding through the Volunteer Fire Assistance program, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. The grants are designed to help fire departments and fire associations serving communities with populations of fewer than 10,000 people. "These grants provide valuable resources to assist local fire departments in providing wildland and rural community fire protection," said state forester David Lytle. "The division is committed to helping local fire departments with limited budgets effectively perform their duties.