Prairie State Wire

The Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) has announced that applications are now open for the Small Equipment Grant Program. A total of $4 million will be awarded to eligible fire departments and ambulance services for the purchase of small firefighting and ambulance equipment. Applications must be submitted electronically or postmarked by October 1, 2024.

Governor JB Pritzker emphasized the importance of equipping first responders with necessary tools: "First responders put their lives on the line every single day to protect our communities, and it's our responsibility to provide our heroes with the equipment they need to make their work safer. That's why we're making $4 million available in small equipment grants to empower fire departments and EMS providers throughout Illinois with state-of-the-art safety equipment. I encourage all eligible departments to apply to ensure they have the best resources to protect our communities and support our dedicated first responders."

Illinois State Fire Marshal James A. Rivera highlighted his commitment to supporting these programs: "My goal as Illinois State Fire Marshal is to help enhance programs such as our Small Equipment Grant Program to provide as much funding as possible for departments/districts across the state. We hear the need daily, and departments shouldn't have to decide between putting fuel in their trucks or providing the needed equipment for their members to protect their communities safely and effectively."

The Small Equipment Grant Program offers grants up to $26,000 per eligible department. In April's last grant cycle, $4 million was awarded to 168 fire departments/districts and EMS providers statewide.

This program addresses long-standing challenges faced by Illinois fire departments and not-for-profit ambulance services, particularly those struggling with revenue generation for essential small equipment. The grants enable applicants to acquire small tools and personal protective equipment (PPE), including infection control items such as masks, gowns, and gloves.

Eligibility extends to most Illinois fire departments, fire protection districts, township fire departments, and stand-alone not-for-profit ambulance service providers. Applicants must have participated in the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) for at least two years before applying, covering incidents from October 2022 through September 2024.

For more information or access to application forms:

https://sfm.illinois.gov/iam/firedepartment/grants-and-loans.html

Completed applications should be sent to:

Office of the State Fire Marshal

Small Equipment Grant Program

1035 Stevenson Drive

Springfield, IL 62703

###