Durbin Announces A Nearly $217,000 Investment In East Joliet First-Responder Capabilities

Press Release

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has awarded a $216,667 grant to the East Joliet Fire Protection District for operations and safety. Today's funding will support and improve the capability of the department to respond to fires and other types of emergencies.

"This federal funding will ensure that when fires or other emergencies occur in our communities, our nation's firefighters and first-responders have access to the best resources and the equipment necessary to help protect them as they protect us," Durbin said.

The funding is provided through the DHS's Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program, which seeks to strengthen the nation's overall level of preparedness and ability to respond to fire and fire related hazards. Since 2001, the AFG has provided approximately $5.25 billion in federal funding to first-responder organizations across the country to help purchase response equipment, personal protective equipment, training, and vehicles. This year, the AFG will award $304.5 million to first-responder organizations that need support to improve their capability to respond to fires and emergencies of all types.

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