Four local fire departments receive COVID-19 relief grants from Illinois State Fire Marshal

SPRINGFIELD — The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal announced Wednesday the recipients of the one-time Illinois Fire Department COVID-19 Relief Grant, and four fire departments in Adams and Pike counties were among those selected.

In Adams County, the Clayton Fire Protection District received $7,952; the Ursa Fire Protection District received $1,939; and the Loraine Fire Protection District received $8,300. The Hull-Kinderhook Fire Department in Pike County received $7,600.

Thirty-six Illinois fire departments will receive more than $316,000 in funding. Under this one-time grant opportunity, eligible Illinois fire departments can receive up to $15,000 to make up for lost donation revenues stemming from their inability to host local fundraising events, such as pancake breakfasts and spaghetti dinners to pay for necessities like fuel for fire trucks, utilities, and insurance, during the periods of quarantines in 2020.

“Firefighters bravely put their lives on the line to protect their neighbors and broader community. Throughout COVID-19, fire departments across the state continued to answer calls for assistance and provide critical frontline support in the fight against the virus,” Gov. JB Pritzker said in a press release. “With these grants, our brave firefighters will once again have access to the critical tools they need.” 

“The COVID-19 pandemic has hit fire department budgets hard, especially rural volunteer departments who depend mainly on fundraising activities to pay for essential operational needs,” Illinois State Fire Marshal Matt Perez said. “The funds provided to departments will help to keep the lights on and fuel in the trucks so they can respond safely and effectively to help their community members during an emergency.”

The OSFM collaborated with the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association, who helped assemble a committee to review the grant applications utilizing a blind review needs-based analysis.  This grant is financed through the Illinois Fire Prevention Fund, a non-general revenue fund supported primarily by a one percent assessment of the gross fire risk premium receipts of all insurance companies operating in the state.