Mason Shares Grant Opportunity for Fire Departments

GURNEE, Ill. – State Rep. Joyce Mason, D-Gurnee, is encouraging local fire departments to apply for funding through the Illinois State Fire Marshall’s Small Equipment Grant program. The initiative is set to award $3.3 million in grants to fire departments to allow them to purchase new firefighting equipment.

“Top-of-the-line gear can keep firefighters better protected from on-the-job hazards like toxic smoke and extreme heat, but it can be challenging for some fire departments to fit the cost of that new equipment into their budgets,” Mason said. “That’s why initiatives like the fire marshall’s Small Equipment Grant program are so important, especially now as many fire departments look to purchase additional personal protective equipment to keep their firefighters safe from COVID-19 through the winter.”

Funding awarded through the Small Equipment Grant program may be used to purchase a variety of firefighting equipment, including oxygen tanks, infection control kits, thermal imaging cameras and N-95 masks. Grants will be awarded in the amount of $26,000 each. Small Equipment Grant applications are being accepted through Jan. 29. To apply, read about eligibility requirements or view a video tutorial on how to submit an application, please visit www2.illinois.gov/sites/sfm/Iam/FireDepartment/Grants-and-Loans/Pages/default.aspx.

“The COVID-19 economic slowdown has hurt many municipal governments’ revenue streams, which are the main sources of income for many fire departments. These grants can go a long way in helping fire departments fill some of their pandemic-related budget gaps and enable them to get critical new equipment sooner,” Mason said. “I strongly encourage all of our local fire departments to apply for funding through this program.”

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