Durbin Announces More Than $2.2 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 27 grants totaling $2,269,028 to fire departments and emergency medical service organizations 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 and emergency medical service organizations will receive funding:
Chicago Metro Area
Aurora Fire Department, $412,280; Batavia Fire Department, $55,061; Forest Park Fire Department, $93,284; Huntley Fire Protection District, $73,570; Palos Heights Fire Protection District, $99,750; Steger Fire Department, $76,338; University Park Fire Department, $104,944; Wheeling Fire Department, $21,600.
Northern Illinois
East Dubuque Fire Department, $32,832.
Central Illinois
Camp Point Fire Protection District, $69,255; Chillicothe Fire Department, $129,580; Deer Creek Fire Protection District, $146,664; East Pike Fire Protection District, $72,196; Farmington Fire Department, $89,775; Gilman Fire Protection District, $67,841; Granville Hennepin Fire Protection District, $37,796; Logan-Trivoli Fire Protection District, $96,767; Lynch Area Fire Protection District, $29,450; Momence Fire Protection District, $66,676; Sidney Fire Protection District, $32,395; Standard Fire Protection District, $78,138.
Southern Illinois
Elkville Fire Department, $190,000; New Baden Fire Protection District, $72,889; Oblong Township Fire Protection District, $38,000; Pittsburg Volunteer Fire Department, $55,347; Pocahontas Old Ripley Fire Protection District, $9,500.
Metro East
Valmeyer Fire Protection District, $17,100.