05.16.13

Durbin Announces A More Than $46,000 Investment in North Park 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 made a $46,125 investment in the North Park Fire Protection District in Machesney Park, Illinois for operations and safety. 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 first-responders are called upon day after day to protect America's citizens in a variety of circumstances,” 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 grant 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.