Illinois State Fire Marshal awards grants to area first responders

SPRINGFIELD – The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal announced the recipients of the 2022 Small Equipment Grant Program. A total of $2.5 million dollars was awarded to 104 fire departments and EMS providers across the state. Many departments in the area received grants of up to $26,000 each for the purchase of small firefighting and ambulance equipment. Area recipients include the Bureau, Cherry, Naplate, Reading, Paw Paw and Standard Fire Departments.
“All communities deserve safety, and this program helps ensure our smaller and rural fire districts aren’t left behind when it comes to the tools they need to do their jobs,” said Governor JB Pritzker.
Bureau Fire Protection District- $26,000
Cherry Fire Protection District- $22,909.05
Naplate Fire Department- $25,980
Paw Paw Community Fire Protection District- $20,000
Reading Township Volunteer Fire Department- $25,820
Standard Fire Protection District- $26,000
Most Illinois fire departments, fire protections districts, township fire departments, and stand-alone, nonprofit ambulance service providers were eligible to apply. All fire departments, fire protections districts and township fire department applicants were required to have participated in the National Fire Incident Reporting System for a minimum of two years prior to applying.