01.30.12

Durbin Announces an Over $2 Million Investment in Illinois First-responder Capabilities

[WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has made a $2,052,462 investment in twelve fire departments and fire protection districts in Illinois.  Today’s funding will help support and improve the capability of each department and protection district 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 – a competitive grant program which seeks to strengthen the Nation’s overall level of preparedness and ability to respond to fire and fire related hazards.  In the 2010 award year, Illinois received 132 awards which totaled over $14.8 million in federal funding to first-responder organizations for the purchase response equipment, personal protective equipment, training, and vehicles.  In FY2011, the program will award approximately $380 million nationwide.

 

Under this announcement, the following fire departments will receive funding for vehicle acquisition:

 

  • Steger Fire Department: $332,500 in funding; and
  • Bellwood Fire Department: $712,500 in funding.

 

Under this announcement, the following fire departments, fire protection districts and emergency medical services will receive funding for operations and safety activities:

 

  • Dolton Fire Department: $46,568 in funding;
  • Farina Fire Protection District: $14,162 in funding;
  • Grayslake Fire Protection District: $46,890 in funding;
  • Lake Bluff Fire Department: $170,364 in funding;
  • Menard County Emergency Medical Service: $6,270 in funding;
  • North Maine Fire Protection District: $45,814 in funding;
  • Palos Heights Fire Protection District: $47,025 in funding;
  • Princeton Fire Department: $512,592 in funding;
  • Wapella Community Fire Protection District: $38,000 in funding; and
  • Village of Clarendon Hills Fire Department: $79,777 in funding.