From the Boston Globe: Massachusetts officials are releasing nearly $80,000 to fund operations of volunteer and rural fire departments serving smaller communities.

The federal Volunteer Fire Assistance Grants are offered to nonprofit rural and volunteer fire departments that primarily serve a community with no more than 10,000 people. The departments must be made up of at least 80% call or volunteer firefighters and be recognized as a department under state law.

Massachusetts officials plan to provide a total of 51 grants in January to fund projects including firefighter safety and rural fire defense.