Governor Blagojevich announces Small Equipment Grant awards to 54 fire departments to improve emergency response capabilities

SPRINGFIELD - Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today announced that 54 fire departments throughout the state will benefit from nearly $1 million in grants to help purchase small equipment and protective clothing that will enable them to better serve their communities.

 

"Local fire departments need the right equipment to protect the communities they serve.  This grant program and our no-interest fire truck loan program, which has assisted more than 60 departments in purchasing new fire trucks, help these departments provide critical public safety services," said Governor Blagojevich.

 

In 2006, Governor Blagojevich created the Small Equipment Grant Program, under which fire departments, fire protection districts and township fire departments could apply for grants of up to $26,000 for purchasing items such as turnout coats for firefighters, firefighting tools and extrication equipment.  Larger items, such as fire trucks and other vehicles, are not eligible under this program, which is administered by the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM).

 

Applications were reviewed by a committee appointed by the State Fire Marshal on the basis of equipment and financial needs of each department, with preference given to requests for equipment that will benefit an entire geographical area.

 

Only fire departments maintained by a local unit of government to provide fire suppression within a geographical area were eligible for the program.  In addition, departments receiving grants were required to have participated in the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) for at least the past two years.

 

Fire departments receiving the grants include: