Skagit Valley College and area fire districts received a $537,370 grant to provide scholarships for Skagit Valley College fire protection students, according to a news release.

Students studying fire protection have the opportunity to apply for the annual scholarships, which are made possible through a four-year, $537,370 grant awarded to Skagit Valley College and partners including Skagit County Fire District 14, Skagit County Fire District 13, Skagit County Fire District 6, City of Burlington Fire Department and the City of Mount Vernon Fire Department.

“These new scholarships are the result of the college collaborating with local fire districts to meet workforce needs and identifying a funding mechanism to make it happen,” said SVC President Tom Keega.

“The SAFER grant will provide students with financial support as they complete their rigorous fire training and prepare to work in our local fire agencies.”

The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grants program was created to provide funding to fire departments and volunteer firefighting organizations to help them to increase or maintain the number of trained, frontline firefighters.