During June, July and August, staff members from the Missouri Department of Conservation Forestry Division are distributing matching funds grant checks to rural fire departments. 

A total of 177 fire departments will be receiving checks of up to $3,000 to help them with the purchase of personal protective gear and firefighting equipment for wildfire, as well as structure fires. 

The total funding for fire department matching grants this year is $381,159. 

Fire departments are required to match these funds, which are provided by the US Forest Service and the Missouri Department of Conservation.

During the last 27 years, nearly $5,530,844 has been distributed to rural fire departments to help them increase the safety of their fighters and provide them with better firefighting equipment, said a MDC spokesman.

In Stone County, North Stone/Northeast Barry County Fire Protection District received $3,000 for fire hose, a nozzle and protective clothing.