VIDEO/PHOTOS: Three southern Illinois fire departments received a major financial boost Friday with $1 million in state grants and loans aimed at improving safety and infrastructure.
Illinois State Fire Marshal Michele Pankow visited Shawneetown to present $350,00 each to Shawneetown and Carrier Mills fire departments, along with $300,000 to Equality Fire Department through the Office of the State Fire Marshal’s Fire Station Construction Loan Program. “So we’re pretty excited… about the opportunity to help these departments fund some very critical resources that they need to protect firefighters and ultimately protect their communities,” Pankow said. In addition to construction loans, officials highlighted the state’s Fire Truck and Ambulance Revolving Loan Program, which provides 0% interest loans for vehicles, and the Small Equipment Grant Program, which has helped departments purchase high-cost gear such as air packs.
