Central Kitsap Fire and Rescue received notification this week that it has been awarded $458,552 to support its volunteer firefighter program.

The money comes from a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grant administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

“This is a four-year grant that seeks to increase and improve the retention and recruitment of volunteer firefighters that provide a needed service to our community,” said CKFR spokesperson Ileana LiMarzi. “This grant provides the funding to increase the training qualifications and certifications of the volunteer firefighters within the district and to recruit new volunteer members into the organization.”

LiMarzi said that the funds will be available to the fire department in about three months.

Central Kitsap Fire and Rescue is a combination department consisting of career firefighters, volunteer firefighters and volunteer non-combat members that provide emergency response services to Silverdale, Tracyton, Brownsville, North Perry, Seabeck, Olympic View, Hintzville, Lake Tahuya, Chico-Erlands Point and Kitsap Lake.

Community members wishing to volunteer their time can begin the application process by visiting the department’s administration building at 5300 NW Newberry Hill Road to fill out an application or call Training Division Manager Paul Stewart at 360-447-3614 for more information.