Illinois American Water announces Firefighter Grant program

[March 12, 2012]  BELLEVILLE -- Illinois American Water has announced its 2012 Firefighter Grant program. Through this program, the company provides financial assistance to fire and emergency organizations serving communities in its service areas.

According to Karla Olson Teasley, president of Illinois American Water, the Firefighter Grant program has been successful in providing assistance to community fire protection efforts.

"Over the last two years we’ve been able to provide 83 grants totaling over $100,000 to fire departments across Illinois," Teasley said. "We look forward to providing even more assistance to firefighters in our communities."

Grants of up to $1,500 will be considered to cover the costs associated with the following:

• Personal protective gear.

• Communications equipment.

• Firefighting tools.

• Water-handling equipment.

• Training and related activities and materials used to support community fire protection.

• Reimbursement for specific fire training classes, including training manuals and workbooks.

The maximum grant amount is $1,500. Fire departments and districts are eligible for one grant per calendar year. Only uniformed professional and volunteer fire departments serving an Illinois American Water service territory are eligible to receive funding.

Fire departments should send a letter of application, postmarked by April 20, with the following:

• Description of the organization(s) seeking support.

• Overview of specific project to be funded and grant amount requested.

• Community problem or challenges that the project will address.

• Time frame for implementation of project.

• Summary of other sources being approached for support of project.

• Project budget.

Applications may be mailed to Karen Cotton, manager of external affairs, at 123 SW Washington St., Peoria, IL 61602; or emailed to [e-mail]. For answers to questions concerning this program, contact Cotton via email or by phone at 309-566-4126.

[Text from file received from Illinois American Water]