Southern Illinois fire departments receive state grant funding for equipment, training
FOX23 News at 9 p.m
SPRINGFIELD, Ill., (KBSI) — The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has awarded $495,000 in federal grants to 73 volunteer fire departments across the state to help purchase equipment and fund training programs.
The funding comes through the Volunteer Fire Capacity Grant Program, which is funded by the U.S. Forest Service and administered by IDNR. The program provides matching funds to volunteer and rural fire departments serving approximately 250,000 Illinois residents.
According to IDNR, the grants reimburse up to 50% of eligible project costs, with a maximum award of $10,000. Funding can be used for equipment purchases and firefighter training. Past projects have included radios, hoses, breathing apparatuses, protective gear, chainsaws and other emergency response equipment.
Several southern Illinois departments received funding, including:
* Goreville Fire Department — $10,000
* Alto Pass Volunteer Fire Department — $1,931.96
* Sesser Fire Protection District — $5,000
* Jefferson Fire Protection District — $4,785
* Galatia Volunteer Fire Department — $3,369.48
* Lake Egypt Fire Protection District — $9,999.63
* Fairfield Rural Fire Protection District — $9,480.50
* Germantown Rural Fire Protection District — $6,924.50
* Huey Ferrin Boulder Fire Protection District — $4,173.95
IDNR Director Natalie Phelps Finnie said the grants help provide critical equipment and training resources for fire departments serving rural communities across Illinois.
