Fees charged on each ton of trash taken to the Rumpke of Indiana landfill near Medora will help Carr Township Volunteer Fire Department battle brush fires.

The Owen-Carr Township Community Fund advisory committee recently approved a $3,150 grant for the Medora-based fire department, according to a news release from the Community Foundation of Jackson County.

The grant will fund the purchase of leaf blowers to help fight brush, field and woods fires.

The blowers will be placed on firetrucks stationed on each side of the CSX Transportation rail line that runs through Medora, Fire Chief Joe Barnes said.

That ensures that equipment can be dispatched when fire calls are reported, regardless of whether a train is running through town, he said.

The Owen-Carr Township Community Fund is financed with 10 cents collected on each ton of trash disposed of at the landfill.

“Rumpke simply sees this as another way to be a good neighbor and give back to the community,” landfill manager Ralph Collins said.

The fund is administered by the Community Foundation of Jackson County, and a local committee of residents of Owen and Carr townships reviews all requests for funds.

Rumpke also has committed to making continuing donations to the Owen-Carr Township Community Endowment, which also is designed to help meet the future needs of Owen and Carr townships. The fund also can accept gifts of cash, stock, real estate and other real property to benefit the community.

For information, call the foundation at 812-523-4483 or send an email to [email protected]. Information may be found on the foundation’s website at cfjacksoncounty.org or on its Facebook page.