Smokey Bear Program
The Bureau of Forestry provides several Smokey Bear Costumes for use by fire departments and others in promoting fire safety and the wise use of our natural resources through wildfire prevention. The costumes are shipped to the user upon request pending availability. Contact Kandy Weigel at the State Forest Nursery in Ames for information or to reserve. Phone 515-233-1161.

Fire Prevention Materials
Fire prevention materials are provided to schools, fire departments and other organizations for the purpose of educating the public about fire safety and the conservation of our natural resources through wildfire prevention. Fire prevention posters, coloring books, song sheets, book marks and other items are available. Contact Gail Kantak at the State Forest Nursery in Ames for information. Phone 515-233-1161.

Rural Community Fire Protection Program
This program provides matching funds to fire departments for the purchase of equipment and training. Contact Gail Kantak at the State Forest Nursery in Ames for information. Phone 515/233-1161.

Federal Excess Property Program
The Federal Excess Property Program provides permanent loans of equipment and vehicles to Fire Departments for use in wild land fire protection. Equipment that is no longer needed by the Federal Government, but suitable for conversion to fire service may be obtained by fire departments. Once obtained, departments may paint it, add other equipment and modify it into a working fire vehicle.

The program is administered by the USDA Forest Service and the General Services Administration in cooperation with the State Forester to provide low cost ways for communities to protect their citizens from fire. Departments that provide fire protection to wildlands may participate.

Most equipment obtained under this program are trucks suitable for conversion to tankers or pumpers. Generators, pumps, fire hoses and breathing apparatus may also be available. Power units can be used to provide emergency lighting or to power a radio base station. 4 x 4 pickup trucks suitable for use on grass and timber fires may also be available.

Fire departments bear the cost of transportation, conversion, painting, storage and maintenance. The equipment usually requires some conversion, but the cost is much less than purchase of comparable equipment.

Fire Departments are responsible for making conversions in a safe and timely manner; protecting the equipment from theft, vandalism and weather; painting vehicles in fire service colors; maintaining appropriate liability insurance and returning the equipment, less any added equipment, to Forestry Bureau when no longer needed.

For more information about the program, contact Gail Kantak at the State Forest Nursery in Ames. Phone 515/233-1161.