DeKalb Times

The Sycamore Fire Department was one of two local fire departments to receive grants from the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal to help them buy new fire equipment. 

The Burlington Community Fire Protection District was awarded a $26,000 grant and the Sycamore Fire Department received more than $13,300 in grant money as part of the state’s 2021 Small Equipment Grant Program, as announced in a press release from state Rep. Jeff Keicher's (R-Sycamore) office. 

"Residents of Burlington and Sycamore can be exceptionally proud of their fire departments for earning this grant, which I was pleased to help secure," Keicher said. "This funding will provide both local fire agencies the ability to purchase the equipment they need to continue serving their community at a high level."

According to the release, the grant is for the purchase of small firefighting and ambulance equipment with the aim of the grant program being "to alleviate a funding shortage that has long caused difficulties for local fire departments and not-for profit ambulance services in Illinois, particularly those that have hardships affording the purchase of small equipment."

"Our local firefighters deserve more accolades and support than we can ever give them," Keicher said.

A total of $3.3 million was awarded to 149 fire departments/districts and EMS providers throughout the state. 

"We appreciate the support of Rep. Keicher in funding this worthwhile program. We are grateful to receive a grant award which will be used to purchase vital equipment to support our mission," Sycamore Fire Chief Peter Polarek said. 

The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal said it received 448 applications, requesting around $10.5 million in funding for this grant period.