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News From
Congressman Ray LaHood
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CONTACT: TIM BUTLER, (217) 793-0808
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 17, 2005
11 LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENTS AWARDED $852,796
IN HOMELAND SECURITY GRANTS
(Peoria, IL)—Congressman Ray LaHood (R-Peoria) announced today that 11 fire department and fire protection districts in the Central and Western Illinois have been awarded funds under the Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters grant program. This is the first round of grant announcements that have been made from the fiscal year 2005 funding.
Those receiving grants include the following:
Golden Fire Protection District will receive $181,925 for vehicle acquisition
Murrayville Volunteer Fire Department will receive $131,844 for vehicle acquisition
Hickory Point Fire Protection District (Forsyth, IL) will receive $81,700 for vehicle acquisition
Brown County Fire Projection District will receive $114,942 for Operations and Safety
Griggsville Fire Department will receive $91,567 for Operations and Safety
Chapin Volunteer Fire Department will receive $71,250 for Operations and Safety
Sherman Fire Protection District will receive $67,175 for Operations and Safety
Loami Fire Protection District will receive $39,805 for Operations and Safety
New Holland Fire Protection District will receive $34,588 for Operations and Safety
Meredosia Fire Protection District will receive $28,025 for Operations and Safety
Havana Rural Fire Protection District will receive $9,975 for Operations and Safety
“These much-needed grant funds will greatly improve firefighting safety and preparedness while also furthering a firefighter’s ability to protect individuals, families and businesses in our local communities,” said Congressman LaHood. “Without grant funding, our rural fire departments and districts struggle to afford the vehicles, equipment and training needed to increase their effectiveness. I am delighted that Congress has been able to provide the funding needed so our first responders can be better equipped, better trained, and better prepared to respond to emergencies.”
Aside from vehicle acquisition, this grant program helps these communities fund the purchase of firefighting equipment, fund firefighter health and safety programs, enhance emergency medical services programs, and conduct fire prevention and safety programs.
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