Prairie State Wire

The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM) has announced that $4 million in grants will be distributed to 178 fire departments, districts, and emergency medical services (EMS) providers across Illinois. These funds are part of the 2024 Small Equipment Grant Program, which aims to support the purchase of essential firefighting and ambulance equipment.

This program addresses a longstanding issue for many fire departments and non-profit ambulance services in Illinois that struggle with revenue generation for necessary small equipment. The OSFM received 347 applications requesting approximately $7.7 million in funding.

"Grant programs like our Small Equipment Grant Program are critical in providing fire departments and ambulance providers with the necessary equipment to ensure their staff can perform their duties safely and efficiently," stated Illinois State Fire Marshal James A. Rivera. "These grants alleviate the burden of tough financial decisions, allowing departments to acquire essential tools without delay, ensuring they have what they need when they need it."

Eligible applicants included most fire departments, fire protection districts, township fire departments, and standalone nonprofit ambulance service providers. Participation in the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) for at least two years was required for application eligibility.

A few recipients include Cairo Fire Department ($20,728.50), Smithboro Fire Protection District ($26,000), Boone County Fire Protection District #2 ($25,271.64), Versailles Fire Protection District ($26,000), Hardin Fire Protection District ($23,124.99), and many others listed throughout various counties in Illinois.

This grant program is seen as a vital resource for these organizations to maintain safety standards and operational efficiency by acquiring necessary equipment that might otherwise be financially out of reach.