Issued the following announcement on Feb. 19.
Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL-03) announced the beginning of the FY 2019 open application period for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program. Now through Friday, March 13, 2020, fire departments and non-affiliated EMS organizations in the Third District of Illinois are eligible to apply for federal funds to support their firefighting and emergency response needs. Previous grant funds have been used to purchase emergency vehicles, secure necessary protective gear, organize fire response trainings, and provide other essential resources that strengthen the preparedness and safety of area first responders.
Since 2008, AFG grants have brought nearly $6 million back to the Third District. The organizations listed below are just some of the most recent AFG grant recipients:
North Palos Fire Protection District: $113,000
Palos Heights Fire Protection District: $107,000
Village of McCook: $67,904.76
Village of Bridgeview: $25,400
Roberts Park Fire Protection District: $235,000
Village of Merrionette Park Fire Department: $121,000
Northwest Homer Fire and Ambulance Protection District: $323,750
Burbank Fire Department: $125,000
Lockport Township Fire Protection District $329,000
Fire Departments and non-affiliated EMS organizations are encouraged to apply using the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) online application portal portal. FEMA provides a variety of digital resources to assist applicants. Throughout the open application period, FEMA will host webinars three times each week to guide first responder organizations through the application process.
“First responders save lives, and they should be fully equipped with the best available resources and technology to help them do their job,” said Congressman Lipinski. “The Assistance to Firefighters Grant is equipping firefighters and emergency medical service professionals with the tools they need to assist Third District residents in some of the most difficult moments of their lives. I strongly encourage Third District fire districts and emergency medical services to apply.”
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