Gov. Rounds announces $1.7 million for local fire departments

PIERRE - Gov. Rounds has announced that $1,732,310 will be sent to county auditors this week to distribute to the certified fire departments that have response areas in their counties.

“The citizens of South Dakota are fortunate to be served by some of the best firefighters in the nation,” Gov. Rounds said.  “Whether they are career firefighters or volunteers, these men and women are willing to put their lives on the line for each of us every day, and these funds will help them continue to provide the service we count on.”

State law requires the Department of Public Safety to forward $30,000 of the fire insurance premium taxes collected by the state to the South Dakota Firefighters Association to train firefighters at state and district fire schools.  One-half of the remaining fire premium taxes paid by insurance companies is distributed to counties for them to pass on to fire departments who serve their counties.  The amount each county receives is calculated based upon assessed valuation of the county and the county population.  The county auditor determines the amount of money for each fire department based upon taxable valuation and population served by each fire department.  

South Dakota law allows certified fire departments to use the funds for operating expenses, pension contributions and the cost of capital improvements.   To become certified by the Department of Public Safety, a fire department must be in existence for at least one year, have fifteen members, have one fire truck with a pump housed in a heated building, and provide fire reports on activities to the office of the State Fire Marshal.