01.20.11

Durbin Announces More Than $1.2 Million in FEMA Grant Funding to Illinois Fire Departments

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 grants totaling $1,210,088 to six Illinois fire departments.

 

“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 resources 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.

 

The following fire departments will receive funding under today’s announcement:

 

Chicago Metro Area

 

  • Cicero Fire Department: $153,840 in funding for operations and safety.
  • Crete Fire Department: $47,500 in funding for vehicle acquisition.
  • East Dundee & Countryside Fire Protection District: $104,553 in funding for operations and safety.
  • Franklin Park Fire Department: $157,611 in funding for operations and safety.

 

Northern Illinois

 

  • Dixon City: $400,000 in funding for vehicle acquisition.
  • North Park Fire Protection District: $346,584 in funding for vehicle acquisition.