Submitted Photo Douglas Fire Protection District firefighters accept a check from AgCountry representatives. From left to right are Douglas Fire Chief Daryn Wohlk, Edwin Olson, DFPD President Carl Riemer, Ethan Riemer, Todd Erickson with AgCountry, Assistant Fire Chief Ty Heinecke, Steve Narum, Dwayne Groninger and Scott Holdenfield with AgCountry.

DOUGLAS — The Douglas Fire Protection District (DFPD) is a recipient of a Rural Community Grant Fund (RCGF) award of $35,000 through AgCountry Farm Credit Services, the district and AgCountry announced. The grant funds will go toward construction of fire hall space for future fire truck additions.

The additional space will provide more room for firefighters to organize their gear, house a 5,000 gallon water storage area inside the fire hall and provide space for a future brush fire fighting truck.

“It is essential that Douglas be prepared to provide emergency services within the local community and AgCountry believes it’s important to give back to the community,” said Scott Holdenfield, financial officer with AgCountry Farm Credit Services, in a news release.

DFPD covers southern Ward County to northern McLean County, helping protect crop, grassland, buildings, vehicles, railroad and missile silo infrastructure.

“The city has no fire hydrants and the fire hall is the only place to obtain larger gallonage to obtain water to fill the trucks. With limited space and below average water pressure in the fire hall, storage and access of a large water tank will allow for faster, more efficient filling in emergency situations,” added Hodenfield.

AgCountry Farm Credit Services, Farm Credit Services of Mandan and AgriBank, established the Rural Community Grant Fund to assist in the implementation and development of projects and programs in communities and rural areas in western North Dakota that have been impacted by mineral exploration.

DFPD continues to seek donations from businesses and individuals as it has more than $100,000 available toward the project and is over halfway to its goal.

The Rural Community Grant Fund also is currently accepting applications for future funding requests. Interested parties can contact AgCountry.