Durbin Announces More Than $600,000 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 six grants totaling $638,587 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
- La Grange Fire Department, La Grange: $57,095 for operations and safety; and
- La Grange Park Fire Department, La Grange Park: $19,319 for operations and safety.
Northern Illinois
- Blackhawk Fire Protection District, Rockford: $100,207 for operations and safety.
Central Illinois
- Jacksonville Fire Department, Jacksonville: $157,966 for operations and safety; and
- South Wheatland Fire Protection District, Decatur: $118,750 for vehicle acquisition.
Southern Illinois
- Crossville Volunteer Fire Department, Crossville: $185,250 for vehicle acquisition.