By Ben Singson
Jacksonville Journal-Courier
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — West-central Illinois fire departments and emergency medical service providers received a slice of $6 million in grant funding from the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal.
Some 260 fire departments and EMS providers received funding from the 2026 Small Equipment Grant Program, which provides up to $26,000 for first responder agencies to buy small firefighting and ambulance equipment.
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The state fire marshal’s office received 335 applications for the program, requesting a collective $8.1 million in funding.
In Morgan County, Waverly Fire Protection District was the sole agency to receive grant funding, getting $25,389.
Four Greene County agencies were awarded funding through the program. Greenfield, White Hall and Carrollton’s fire protection districts received the maximum $26,000 while Roodhouse Fire Protection District received $25,964.41.
In Jersey County, Jerseyville Volunteer Fire Department received $25,855 while QEM Fire Protection District received $17,378.98.
Three Macoupin County agencies received funding through the program. Virden Fire Protection District received $25,095, Mount Olive Fire Protection District received $25,294.51 and Bunker Hill Fire District received the full $26,000.
In Pike County, Spring Creek Fire Protection District and Griggsville Fire Department each received the maximum $26,000.
In Schuyler County, Browning was the sole entity to receive funding, netting $25,932.
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