The Brownsdale Fire Department got good news from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources this holiday season.

The volunteer department was awarded a grant of $1,500 from the DNR Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant program.

The grant program provides financial and technical assistance to Minnesota fire departments in cities or communities with populations under 10,000. The objective of the grant program is to protect property and lives in rural areas throughout Minnesota. The grants are made on a 50:50 match basis.

“Priority is given to fire departments that have the greatest need,” according to Tom Romaine, DNR fire supervisor south. “Additional considerations include the type of project, fire runs and number of previous years funded.”

Romaine added that $441,874 in matching grants are being awarded to 250 fire departments across the state for 2012.