Durbin Announces A More Than $87,000 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 $87,168 in grants to fire departments throughout Illinois. Today’s funding will help raise public awareness about fire safety and prevention, and support and improve the capability of the departments 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.
Under this announcement, the Charleston Fire Department will receive funding for fire prevention and safety efforts.
The following fire protection agencies will receive funding for operations and safety:
- Skokie Fire Department: $44,000 in funding;
- Momence Fire Protection District: $33,668 in funding.