Durbin Announces A More Than $628,000 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 $628,628 in grants to fire departments and municipalities throughout Illinois.
“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.
Under this announcement, the Westchester Fire Department will receive $441,750 in funding for vehicle acquisition.
The following fire protection agencies will also receive funding for operations and safety:
Chicagoland
- North Riverside Fire Department: $30,685 in funding;
Central Illinois
- Urbana Fire Rescue Service: $49,860 in funding;
Metro East
- Granite City Fire Department: $48,708 in funding;
Southern Illinois
- Ashley Community Fire Protection District: $36,725 in funding;
- Washington County Ambulance: $20,900 in funding.
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