Vermont rural fire-protection program asks lawmakers to shore up funding for dry hydrants

Representatives of the Vermont Rural Fire Protection Program told the Legislature’s Capital Bill Committee on Feb. 6 that the state’s dry‑hydrant grant program is a long‑running, low‑cost way to provide water supply to rural fire departments and that the program needs steadier funding to keep pace with rising project costs.

Troy Daire, engineering technician and program manager for the Vermont Rural Fire Protection Program, said the systems “make it easier, safer, and quicker to supply water to the fire scene.” He told the committee the program installs dry and pressurized “wet” hydrants, bridge‑mounted dry hydrants and other drafting sites where municipal water systems are not available.

The program, Daire said, supports mutual‑aid firefighting and shortens response time: “Because fires grow…