Durbin Announces More than $800,000 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 15 grants totaling $829,677 to fire departments and emergency medical service organizations throughout Illinois for 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
Maywood Fire Department, $29,853; Prospect Heights Fire Protection District, $97,850; South Elgin Fire Protection District, $74,196.
Northern Illinois
Apple River Fire Department, $45,125; Waterman Community Fire Protection District, $38,000.
Central Illinois
Ashland Volunteer Fire Department, $59,850; Barry Fire Protection District, $19,000; Georgetown Fire Department, $34,937; LaSalle Fire Department, $50,445; Neponset Fire District, $75,670; R.S.P.& E. Fire Protection District, $94,240; Smithfield Fire Protection District, $66,633.
Southern Illinois
Dongola Auxiliary Fire Department, $39,900; Fairfield Rural Fire Protection District, $39,900.
Metro East
Prairie town Volunteer Fire Department, $64,078.