Prairie State Wire

The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM) has announced the opening of applications for a new grant program aimed at fire station construction and rehabilitation. The program offers grants up to $350,000, with a total of $5 million available for departments throughout Illinois. Applications must be submitted electronically or postmarked by February 28, 2025.

"We continue to see and hear the need of fire departments across Illinois. As the cost of equipment and fire apparatus increase, the need to store these assets in an adequate station that doesn't leak and is free of any hazards will help to keep the Illinois firefighters safer and help equipment last longer," said Illinois State Fire Marshal James A. Rivera. "I hope this grant shows that our commitment to helping provide funding to departments across the state continues and that we hear your need. I can't thank Governor JB Pritzker enough for his support of the fire service through programs such as this."

Eligibility requirements include active registration with SAM.gov and registration with the state's Grantee Portal. Additionally, applicants must have been compliant with NFIRS reporting for at least two years, covering December 2022 through November 2024. Departments are required to report all incidents they respond to, including ambulance calls.

Further details about the grant program and application forms can be found on OSFM's website at sfm.illinois.gov/iam/firedepartment/grants-and-loans.html.