WASHINGTON, DC–(ENEWSPF)–August 3, 2011. 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 $639,383 in a grant for fire prevention to the Chicago Fire Department. The Chicago Fire Department (CFD) is the second largest fire department in the United States in terms of individual firefighters.
“Chicago’s firefighters are called upon day after day to protect millions of 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.
Source: durbin.senate.gov
