02.03.11

Durbin Announces More Than $1.45 Million in FEMA Grants 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 18 grants totaling $1,453,032 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, 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 protection agencies will receive funding:

Chicago Metro Area

  • Algonquin – Lake in the Hills: $243,000 for operations and safety;
  • Bensenville Fire Protection District No. 2: $86,805 for operations and safety;
  • Village of Bolingbrook Fire Department: $93,272 for operations and safety;
  • Countryside Fire Protection District: $30,213 for operations and safety;
  • Geneva Fire Department: $85,050 for operations and safety;
  • Park Forest Fire Department: $48,933 for operations and safety; and
  • Wheeling Fire Department: $37,800 for operations and safety.

Northern Illinois

  • Amboy Fire Protection District: $42,955 for operations and safety; and
  • Rockford Fire Department: $99,368 for operations and safety.

Central Illinois

  • Cerro Gordo Fire Protection District: $106,359 for operations and safety;
  • Chillicothe Fire Department: $78,660 for operations and safety; and
  • Eureka-Goodfield Fire Protection District: $133,000 for operations and safety.

Southern Illinois

  • Alto Pass Fire Department: $38,000 for operations and safety;
  • Bridgeport Fire Protection District: $171,095 for vehicle acquisition;
  • City of McLeansboro Fire Department: $38,000 for operations and safety;
  • Nashville Community Fire Protection District: $76,146 for operations and safety; and
  • Neoga Fire Protection District: $25,760 for operations and safety.  

Metro East

  • Valmeyer Fire Protection District: $18,616 for operations and safety.