Durbin Highlights Over $360,000 In Federal Funding For Amboy Fire Protection District
This funding comes from Durbin’s Supporting and Improving Rural EMS Needs (SIREN) Act
AMBOY – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today visited the Amboy Fire Protection District to discuss the $361,000 in federal funding they received through his Supporting and Improving Rural EMS Needs (SIREN) Act, legislation that authorized new funding for a grant program to directly support rural fire/EMS agencies. Funding can be used to train and recruit staff, conduct courses to satisfy certification requirements, and purchase equipment—everything from naloxone and first aid kits, to power stretchers or new ambulances.
“In rural parts of Illinois, where the nearest hospital may be miles away, our fire and EMS personnel often serve as the frontline health care providers for their communities,” said Durbin. “They face immense challenges, from medical emergencies to fire incidents, requiring them to be versatile and well-equipped. The funding provided to Amboy Fire Protection District through my SIREN Act will bolster their efforts, ensuring that our brave first responders have the resources they need to fulfill their critical roles.”
“Rural EMS Staffing and Training was at an epidemic level but now is a pandemic,” said Jeff Bryant, Chief, Amboy Fire Protection District.“The timing of the SIREN Act was impeccable. The Amboy Fire Protection District was awarded the first grant in Illinois and has now received the funding for three years in the amount of over $300,000. It has allowed us to do distance learning during the onset of COVID-19 and improve our cache of training equipment. This legislation has provided funding for equipment, training, training equipment, and has provided funds to have staff obtain EMS Certifications.”
The Amboy Fire Protection District has received awards in Fiscal Year (FY) 2020, FY21, and FY22 totaling $361,000 to enhance training for its EMTs and paramedics to satisfy state and national certifications. This funding will enable Amboy to be fully staffed and licensed with advanced life support capacity for Lee County.
The bipartisan bill was initially signed into law in 2018 as part of the Farm Bill. Since then, Durbin and U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) have led the appropriations effort to grow the program from $5 million annually to $10.5 million this year. The SIREN Act has resulted in new funds to rural EMS/fire agencies in Nauvoo, Amboy, Jerseyville, and Gibson City, Illinois.
-30-