07.09.14

Durbin, Kelly Announce A More Than $184,000 Investment In Markham First-Responder Capabilities

[WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL) announced today that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), awarded a $184,042 grant to the City of Markham, Illinois. This funding will support and improve the capability of the Markham Fire Department’s first-responders to respond to fires and other types of emergencies.

 

“We must ensure our nation’s fire fighters and first-responders are equipped with the best, most up-to-date tools to do their jobs effectively. Today’s grants will help meet that goal,” Durbin said.

    

This grant will provide Markham firefighters with the tools they need to protect the lives and property of residents and to enhance their own safety. I’m always ready to assist our firefighters in securing the funding they need to keep our communities safe,” Rep. Robin Kelly 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. The AFG is in the process of awarding approximately $320.9 million in competitive grants to fire departments and non-affiliated EMS organizations from Fiscal Year 2013 AFG funding.