WASHINGTON, DC–(ENEWSPF)–December 14, 2011. U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has made a $765,108 investment in seven fire departments and fire protection districts in Illinois. Today’s funding will help support and improve the capability of each department and protection district to respond to fires and other types of emergencies.
“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 – a competitive grant program which seeks to strengthen the Nation’s overall level of preparedness and ability to respond to fire and fire related hazards. In the 2010 award year, Illinois received 132 awards which totaled over $14.8 million in federal funding to first-responder organizations for the purchase response equipment, personal protective equipment, training, and vehicles. In FY2011, the program will award approximately $380 million nationwide.
Under this announcement, the following fire departments and fire protection districts will receive funding for operations and safety activities:
- Pekin Fire Department, Pekin: $14,400 in funding;
- Monmouth Fire Department, Monmouth: $188,100 in funding;
- Orland Fire Protection District, Orland Park: $302,400 in funding;
- Kankakee Fire Department, Kankakee: $73,980 in funding;
- City of Freeport Fire Department, Freeport: $53,028 in funding;
- Wilmette Fire Department, Wilmette: $72,900 in funding; and
- Villa Park Fire Department, Villa Park: $60,300 in funding.
