The Kansas Municipal Energy Agency recently received a grant through the Fire Mitigation Planning Program, established by the Kansas Corporation Commission State Energy Program.
The funding was made available through the U.S. Department of Energy. The program is designed to assist municipalities that provide utility services with wildfire mitigation planning, KMEA noted in its Power Factor newsletter.
“As wildfires become more frequent across the state, comprehensive fire mitigation planning is increasingly important for utilities. Through this grant, KMEA can assist members with developing these plans,” KMEA noted.
In partnership with consultant Vantage Point Solutions, KMEA can help guide each member community through the planning process, KMEA said.
KMEA is prepared to complete a substantial portion of the document, with assistance from each city to provide community specific information, it noted.
Each plan will include key components such as service territory, wildfire risk maps, risk analysis, prevention programs, vegetation management, emergency preparedness, and community outreach and education, among other elements.
KMEA plans to conduct outreach to members to gauge interest in the grant program.
APPA offers a variety wildfire mitigation resources on its website.
