New grant program to help fire departments buy small equipment

[OCT. 9, 2006]  SPRINGFIELD -- Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich unveiled a new grant program Oct. 1 to help fire departments purchase new, much-needed equipment. The program will make $1 million in grants available to local fire departments during fiscal 2007.

"Fire departments have to have the equipment they need to respond to emergencies," Blagojevich said. "That's why this new program is so important -- it means that struggling fire departments can now buy equipment like protective gear, breathing and extrication tools, or thermal imaging cameras. And that can make all the difference."

Under the Small Equipment Grant Program, administered by the Office of the State Fire Marshal, fire departments, fire protection districts and township fire departments can apply for grants of up to $26,000 for purchasing small equipment, such as turnout coats for firefighters, firefighting tools and extrication equipment. Larger items, such as firetrucks and other vehicles, are not eligible under this program.

Only fire departments maintained by a local unit of government to provide fire suppression within a geographical area are eligible for the program. In addition, applicant departments must have participated in the National Fire Incident Reporting System for at least the past two years.

The Office of the State Fire Marshal will accept applications until March 15, 2007. A committee appointed by the state fire marshal will review applications on the basis of equipment and financial needs of each department. Preference will be given to requests for equipment that will benefit a geographical area.

"This program is intended to help fire departments that simply don't have enough money in their budgets to buy small, yet very necessary, items," said State Fire Marshal Dave Foreman. "We know there are many departments throughout the state that can benefit from this program, and we're encouraging them to apply for a grant."

The Small Equipment Grant Program is the latest effort by Blagojevich to help local fire departments. In 2003, he signed legislation creating a no-interest revolving loan program to help fire departments purchase firetrucks. To date, more than 60 fire departments have purchased new firetrucks with loans received through that program. In addition, in June the governor signed a new law creating a similar loan program to help fire departments or nonprofit ambulance services purchase ambulances.

As another means of helping fire departments get much-needed equipment, the Office of the State Fire Marshal administers the Fire and Administrative Equipment Exchange Program. The program, started in 2003, helps connect surplus fire equipment with departments in need. Since its inception, more than 50 fire departments have donated approximately 3,000 pieces of equipment to nearly 50 fire departments. Equipment exchanged through the program ranges from big items such as firetrucks, ambulances and other vehicles to smaller necessities like turnout gear, helmets, mobile radios, fire hoses, tables and chairs.

[News release from the governor's office]