Lemont Fire Protection District Receives $165K in Federal Grant Funding

Lemont firefighters will receive new rescue equipment this year thanks to a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced Thursday that the  was awarded $165,240 from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program program.

FEMA, which is part of the Department of Homeland Security, recently awarded a total of $597,490 to five fire departments in Illinois . Funding supports and improves the capability of each department to respond to fires and other types of emergencies, according to a press release.

“Our nation's firefighters are called upon day after day to protect America's citizens,” Durbin stated in the release. “As these brave men and women put themselves in harm’s way, we must ensure that they are equipped with the best tools possible to do their jobs well, and today’s grants will help meet that goal.” 

The Lemont Fire Protection District—which covers an area of 40 square miles across the Village of Lemont and portions of Woodridge, Darien, Bolingbrook and Homer Glen—was awarded the grant to purchase self-contained breathing apparatuses, according to Lemont Fire Chief Carl Churulo.

"We were very fortunate to receive the grant," he said. "The apparatus serves as a lifeline for our firefighters, so it's very important equipment."

Churulo said the district has received more than $1 million in grants over the past eight years, which has allowed for the purchase of equipment and the hiring of full-time employees.

"We take great pride in the grants we've been able to secure," he said. "It allows us to purchase things we wouldn't be able to afford otherwise, and it takes the burden off the Lemont taxpayers."

The Lemont Fire Protection District to purchase power-assist cots for its four ambulances. In July 2011, for fire prevention programs.