Durbin Announces More than $1.1 Million in FEMA Grants to Illinois Fire Departments
Chicagoland departments set to receive nearly $400,000 in funding
[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 18 grants totaling $1,106,850 to fire departments throughout Illinois for vehicle acquisition, operations, and safety.
“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, AFG has provided approximately $4 billion to first-responder organizations to purchase response equipment, personal protective equipment, training, and vehicles.
Under this announcement, the following fire departments will receive funding:
Chicago Metro Area
Addison Fire Protection District #1, $31,518; Flossmoor Volunteer Fire Department, $20,009; Glen Ellyn Volunteer Fire Company, $16,200; Newport Township Fire Protection District, $70,400; North Chicago Fire Department, $247,500.
Northern Illinois
Rockford Fire Department, $32,000.
Central Illinois
Chapin Volunteer Fire Department, $15,375; Hillsboro Fire Department, $33,366; LaFayette Fire Department, $190,000; Mt. Zion Fire Protection District, $13,775; Pesotum Fire Protection District, $52,319; Petersburg Volunteer Fire Department, $52,248.
Southern Illinois
Ashley Community Fire Protection District, $19,428; Brownstown Fire Protection District, $38,000; Buncombe Fire Department, $99,750; Germantown Fire Protection District, $58,625; Orchardville Fire Protection District, $36,537.
Metro East
East Alton Fire Department, $79,800.