Illinois American Water Awards over $77,000 in Firefighter Grants
Awards given to local departments

 

[October 12, 2018] 

Over $77,000 will be shared by 78 Illinois fire departments through Illinois American Water’s 2018 Firefighter Grant Program. Since the program was created in 2010, over 500 grants totaling over
$493,000 have been awarded to fire and emergency organizations serving customers in Illinois American Water’s service area.

“We are proud to partner with our local firefighters. Illinois American Water tests and operates every fire hydrant annually. We also maintain all of the hydrants, over 29,000 across the state, in our service areas. We know the critical role water plays in protecting homes and businesses and we also know resources for our local heroes often runs short. Through this grant program, we are able to partner on another level and further support our local heroes,” said Bruce Hauk, Illinois American Water President.

The grants are being announced during National Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 7 – 13, 2018, to raise awareness about the importance of fire prevention. This year’s Fire Prevention Week theme is “LOOK. LISTEN. LEARN. Be aware. Fire can happen anywhere.” It educates about basic, but essential ways to quickly and safely escape a home fire. Learn more at http://www.nfpa.org/public education/ campaigns/fire-prevention-week

Illinois American Water’s Firefighter Grant Program awards grants to provide personal protective gear, communications equipment, firefighting tools, water handling equipment, training materials and classroom programs. Illinois American Water is providing grants to the following local fire departments:

Lincoln Fire Department
Lincoln Rural Fire Department

[Karen L Cotton]