El Pomar’s Wildland Fire Fund was created in rapid response to Colorado’s devastating wildfire season of 2002 including Hayman, Missionary Ridge, and Trinidad fires. El Pomar led an effort to supply front line volunteer Colorado fire agencies with various supplies, including personal firefighting equipment, radios, hoses, and pumps. By year-end, El Pomar had contributed $1.7 million and raised an additional $300,000 through a community fundraising campaign. Since the Fund’s inception, El Pomar has addressed emergency needs for volunteer firefighters and first responders across the state, including during the Waldo Canyon, Black Forest, South Fork, and Lake George fires. Over $4.9 million has been granted to more than 170 volunteer fire organizations.
In addition to emergency response grants, the Wildland Fire Fund also provides grants throughout the year to Colorado fire agencies seeking support for personal protection equipment and supplies. Grants that have been funded through the Wildland Fire Fund include support for equipment and protective clothing, new radios, safety lights, and fire shelters. To view a full list of Wildland Fire Fund grants awarded in 2016 please visit https://www.elpomar.org/grant-making/search-our-grants/.
Volunteer agencies seeking support for personal protection equipment and other emergency needs are eligible to apply for the Fund online through El Pomar’s competitive process. To apply for a Wildland Fire Fund grant, please visit https://www.elpomar.org/grant-making/ to log-in to our online grant portal and complete a competitive grant application. Please note, if your application is funded, you must wait three years (36 months) before submitting a new application. If declined, applicants must wait one year (12 months) before submitting a new application.
If you have any questions about the Wildland Fire Fund, please reach out to the Grants Office at 1-800-554-7711 or send us an email at grants@elpomar.org.