04.30.14

Durbin Meets with Illinois Fire Chiefs During Annual Fly-In

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) met with the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association today to discuss the importance of funding fire safety and training programs for communities across Illinois. Among those who attended the meeting were Chief Robert Buhs, Executive Director of the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association, and Chief Steven Iovinelli, Franklin Park, Illinois Fire Department. A photo of today’s meeting is available here.


“It was great to see the men and women of the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association today. Their hard work protects communities across the state when fires or other emergencies occur,” Durbin said. “I will continue doing my part to ensure they have the resources needed to do their jobs well.” 

Durbin also announced that Du Quoin Fire Department in Du Quoin, Illinois will receive $217,636 through the Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program. The money will be used for operations and safety measures.

The DHS’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program 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 will award approximately $288.8 million in competitive grants to fire departments and non-affiliated EMS organizations during FY 2013.