Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park has received $15,600 from the U.S. Department of Interior's Rural Fire Assistance Program, which Park Superintendent Cindy Orlando said will be awarded to the Hawai'i County Fire Department.

She said the money will be used to upgrade or purchase wildland firefighting equipment and to support training of firefighters.

The program is intended to strengthen the fire-protection capabilities of rural fire districts and to enhance firefighter and public safety.

National Park Service Fire Management Officer Joe Molhoek said Hawai'i County gives support in protecting park lands and that this was one way the National Park Service can reciprocate.