SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Fire Marshal’s office Friday announced the recipients of the 2023 Small Equipment Grant Program.

A total of $1.5 million was awarded to 64 fire departments/districts and EMS providers across the state. The program was established to provide grants of up to $26,000 each for the purchase of small firefighting and ambulance equipment.

Several fire departments in our area will receive grants from this program.

Fire Departments in Rosiclare, Goreville and Olmsted will get $26,000. The Elkville Volunteer Fire Department will receive $25,400. The Gorham Fire Department will see $25,944.25. The Ware-Wolf Lake Fire Protection District will receive $22,775. The Stonefort Fire Department will get $25,615.

This program is an innovative approach to a problem that has long caused difficulties for fire departments and not-for profit ambulance services in Illinois, particularly those that have hardships in generating the necessary revenue for small equipment. The purpose is to allow eligible applicants the opportunity to purchase small equipment that they may otherwise not be able to purchase. The OSFM received 296 applications, requesting around $4.5 million in funding for this grant period.

Most Illinois fire departments, fire protections districts, township fire departments, and stand-alone, nonprofit ambulance service providers were eligible to apply. All fire departments, fire protections districts and township fire department applicants were required to have participated in the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) for a minimum of two years prior to applying.