03.21.11

Durbin Announces More Than $800,000 in FEMA Grants to additional Illinois Fire Departments

[WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has awarded eight grants totaling $834,272 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. In the 2009 award year, Illinois received 240 awards – totaling over $25.4 million in federal funding to first-responder organizations to purchase response equipment, personal protective equipment, training, and vehicles. In FY2010, the program will award approximately $390 million nationwide.

 

Under this announcement, the following fire protection agencies will receive funding for operations and safety:

Central Illinois

  • Mendota Fire Department – $114,000 in funding 
  • Chatham Fire Protection District – $52,231 in funding
  • Washington Fire Department and Resque Squad – $102,315 in funding

Chicago Metro Area

  • South Holland Fire Department – $103,367 in funding

Metro East

  • Godfrey Fire Protection District – $5,415 in funding
  • Wood River Fire Department – $223,556 in funding

Northern Illinois

  • North Park Fire Protection District – $90,888 in funding

Southern Illinois

  • Sandoval Fire Protection District – $142,500 in funding