Yednock Announces Small Equipment Grant Awards for Local Fire Departments

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – To further demonstrate his support of first responders, state Rep. Lance Yednock, D-Ottawa, is highlighting tens of thousands of dollars in grant money awarded to local fire departments and fire districts by the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM).

“These last few years have shown us how essential firefighters and all first responders are to the health and safety of our communities,” said Yednock. “I cannot think of a group more deserving of this money and I look forward to seeing the departments use the funds to further improve the communities in our district.”

The Small Equipment Grant Program awards grants of up to $26,000 to fire departments, fire districts and emergency medical service providers across Illinois for the purchase of small firefighting and ambulance equipment. The funds allow for grantees to purchase important equipment they may not have been able to afford otherwise.

The grantees are:

• Bureau Fire Protection District – $26,000
• Cherry Fire Protection District – $22,909.05
• Naplate Fire Department – $25,980
• Reading Township Volunteer Fire Department – $25,820
• Standard Fire Protection District – $26,000

“Too often, rural fire departments like these are left behind to perform essential work without the proper equipment they need. Receiving a grant from the Small Equipment Grant Program is a great benefit that will allow local firefighters to continue saving lives,” Yednock said. “I am extremely grateful to the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal for their support.”