Crime & Safety

Lemont Fire Protection District Receives 2012 Firefighter Grant

Illinois American Water awarded $1,500 to the district to purchase replacement batteries for portable radios.

The will be purchasing replacement batteries for portable radios used on vehicles thanks to a grant by Illinois American Water (IAW).  The IAW 2012 Firefighter Grant Program provides financial assistance to fire and emergency organizations serving communities in its service areas.  

According to Karla Olson Teasley, president of Illinois American Water, the Firefighter Grant Program has been successful in providing assistance to community fire protection efforts.  She said, “Over the last two years we’ve been able to provide 83 grants totaling over $100,000 to fire departments across Illinois.  We look forward to providing even more assistance to firefighters in our communities.”

Grants of up to $1,500 are awarded to cover the costs associated with the following:

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  • Personal protective gear
  • Communications equipment
  • Firefighting tools
  • Water handling equipment
  • Training and related activities/materials used to support community fire protection
  • Reimbursement for specific fire training classes, including training manuals and workbook.

According to Battalion Chief George Rimbo, the replacement batteries for portable radios used on vehicles will assist firefighter communications, keeping personnel and vehicles accessible and ready for emergency and other calls.  The grant funding will allow the Fire District to purchase 31 batteries.

“As a public body, the Fire District has an obligation to our taxpayers and residents to both maintain our public safety equipment and to effectively manage costs.  To that end, we seek out grants and external funding sources to assist with the purchase of necessary equipment without burdening local taxpayers,” stated Chief Rimbo.  “The Board of Trustees, staff, and the firefighters of the Lemont Fire Protection District are grateful to Illinois America Water for their generous grant of $1,457.00 for the purchase of this needed equipment.”

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About Illinois American Water

Illinois American Water, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to more than 1.2 million people. American Water also operates a customer service center in Alton and a quality control and research laboratory in Belleville. 

Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company.  With headquarters in Voorhees, N.J., the company employs more than 7,000 dedicated professionals who provide drinking water, wastewater and other related services to approximately 15 million people in more than 30 states, as well as parts of Canada. More information can be found by visiting www.amwater.com.

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