The Federal Excess Personal Property Program was enacted by Congress under the Federal Property and Administrative Services act of 1949 and the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978.  The Act directs the Secretary of Agriculture to encourage the use of FEPP to assist in reducing state fire budgets by loaning federally-owned property to state foresters and their cooperators. To qualify for this program, a fire department must meet a number of requirements (see responsibilities below), one being a responsibility for providing fire protection on wildlands within the department’s jurisdiction. The U.S. Forest Service monitors the use of loaned property to ensure that all FEPP acquired is used 90 percent for fire protection support and only 10 percent for other support.

More than $1.9 million in FEPP equipment on loan to NH towns

The FEPP Program enables the New Hampshire Division of Forests and Lands to acquire “on loan” from the federal government, property that assists the Division and fire departments in fulfilling their emergency response mission. That property includes such items as trucks, fire tools, hoses, vehicle parts, nozzles, generators, and protective clothing.

The Division currently has FEPP loan agreements with 110 volunteer fire departments for more than $1.9 million of federal forest fire suppression equipment.

Steps for acquiring FEPP equipment are:

1. A fire department must submit formal application for property

2. Application is evaluated by a Division Forest Ranger for eligibility and priority

3. The fire department will be notified when the property request is approved

Responsibilities of the fire department:

1. The fire department must sign a formal cooperative agreement with the NH Division of Forests and Lands and place state seals (furnished by the Division) on the vehicle in an appropriate visible location.

2. Allow periodic equipment inspections by the Forest Ranger.

3. Use the equipment only for fire related activities.

4. To house the equipment in the fire department and to be responsible for all additional repair, operating costs, maintenance, and upkeep.

5. Maintain current liability insurance for each FEPP vehicle.

6. To have FEPP vehicles inspected annually by an approved vehicle inspection center.

7. Return the equipment to the Division when the equipment is of no further use to the department.

For additional information contact the Forest Ranger for your town.