Springfield — The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal and Governor JB Pritzker have announced the recipients of the Small Equipment Grant Program. A total of $3.5 million was awarded to 154 fire departments/districts and EMS providers. The OSFM received 540 applications, requesting around $12 million in funding during this grant period.
“First responders put their lives on the line every single day to do the critical work of protecting Illinois’ communities. I am pleased to award $3.5 million in small equipment grants to 154 fire departments and EMS providers throughout the state that will enable the purchase of new firefighting and ambulance equipment,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “I am grateful for the work our first responders do, and how they work so diligently to maintain the safety of our families.”
The Small Equipment Grant Program was established to provide grants of up to $26,000 for the purchase of small firefighting and ambulance equipment. This program is an innovative approach to a problem that has long caused difficulties for the fire departments and not-for profit ambulance services in Illinois, particularly those that have hardships in generating the necessary revenue for small equipment. The purpose is to allow eligible applicants the opportunity to purchase small equipment that they may otherwise not be able to purchase.
“Ensuring that first responders have the equipment they need to operate effectively and safely is a top priority of the OSFM. Most smaller departments and districts struggle financially to replace or upgrade aging equipment. The impending fiscal impacts resulting from the COVID19 crisis make the OSFM’s Small Equipment Grant Program even more critical to help ease that burden,” says Illinois State Fire Marshal Matt Perez. 
“This is an awesome program and benefits my department in many ways. With everything going on in the world today, my department and many other departments have had to cancel fundraisers which provides funding to purchase equipment. We currently are using air-packs that are 20 years old, the bottles still pass all testing, but we are in much need of an upgrade. My firefighters, I believe, feel safer knowing we are providing them with state-of-the-art equipment when they put their life on the line as volunteers,” says Ava Volunteer Fire Department Chief Rodney Anderson.

“The Mokena Fire Protection District (MFPD) recently received grant funding through the OSFM Small Equipment Grant Program to purchase three 800 Mhz portable radios allowing enhanced emergency communications and response while creating a safer situation during emergencies. As resources have diminished for all taxing bodies, it has become increasingly important to seek alternative sources of funding. Without the support of the Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshal, the Mokena Fire Protection District would not be able to acquire much needed equipment such as these portable radios used to protect the stakeholders of the MFPD,” says Mokena Fire Protect District Fire Chief Howard Stephens.
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 (NFIRS) for a minimum of two years prior to applying.

Ogle County:

• Rochelle Fire Department: $22,000

• Forreston Fire Protection District: $22,643.08
• Leaf River Fire Protection District: $21,300
• Polo Fire Protection District: $14,371
• Stillman Fire Protection District: $26,000