Durbin Announces a More Than $322,000 Investment in Illinois First-Responder Capabilities
[WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has awarded $322,233 in grants to fire departments and municipalities throughout Illinois. Today’s funding will help support and improve the capability of the department to respond to fires and other types of emergencies.
“Our nation's firefighters are called upon day after day to protect America's citizens,” Durbin said. “As these brave men and women put themselves in harm’s way, we must ensure that they are equipped with the best tools possible to do their jobs well, and today’s grants will help meet that goal.”
The funding is provided through the DHS’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program which seeks to strengthen the Nation’s overall level of preparedness and ability to respond to fire and fire related hazards. Since 2001, the AFG has provided approximately $5.25 billion in federal funding to first-responder organizations across the country to help purchase response equipment, personal protective equipment, training, and vehicles. In Fiscal Year 2012, the program will award approximately $337.5 million nationwide.
The following fire protection agencies will receive funding for operations and safety:
- Lacon-Sparland Fire Protection District: $122,360 in funding;
- Rutland and Dundee Townships Fire Protection District: $92,147 in funding;
- Brownstown Fire Protection District: $60,226 in funding;
- Stickney Fire Department: $47,500 in funding.