03.11.10

Durbin Announces Nearly $550,000 in FEMA Grants to Illinois Fire Department

[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 12 grants totaling $543,216 to fire departments and municipalities 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 will receive funding:

Chicago Metro Area

Berwyn Fire Department, $112,400; Forest Part Fire Department, $31,635; Lemont Fire Protection District, $94,500; Riverdale Fire Department, $49,073; Spring Grove Fire Protection District, $44,807; Villa Park Fire Department, $11,489.

Central Illinois

Danforth Township Fire Protection District, $21,024; Decatur Fire & Rescue, $33,120; Tallula Volunteer Fire District, $27,293.

Southern Illinois

City of Mt. Vernon Fire Department, $14,870; Williamson County Fire Protection District, $37,455.

Metro East

Mitchell Fire Protection District, $65,550.