West Central Reporter

Illinois state Sen. Jil Tracy (R-Quincy) recently shared information about the state's Small Equipment Grant Program, as well as the Fire Truck and Ambulance Revolving Loan Programs.

"The Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) announced the following grant and loan opportunities today," Tracy stated in a Facebook post Monday.  

The senator wrote that small equipment grant applications “are open."

"All interested departments should send an electronic or postmarked application to OSFM (Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal) no later than Nov. 30,” Tracy stated. “$1.5 million is available for this grant period."

The OSFM runs the Small Equipment Grant Program and offers aid up to $26,000 to purchase firefighting and ambulance equipment. Interested departments should apply to the OSFM before Nov. 30. Postmarks must be dated no later than Nov. 30 for non-electronic applications.

The senator also wrote that it is important fire departments are compliant with the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS). Fire departments are required to report all incidents responded to, including ambulance calls, from August 2020 to August 2022.

Loan applications for fire trucks and ambulances are also available, Tracy stated.

“The application period is now open for our Fire Truck and Ambulance Revolving Loan Programs,” Tracy wrote. “This year we have approximately $10.5 million available for the Fire Truck Program and $2.7 million for the Ambulance Program. Applications must be electronically submitted or postmarked no later than Oct. 31.”

The maximum loan amount through the fire truck program is $350,000 and the maximum loan amount through the ambulance program is $200,000, according to the OSFM website. The deadline to submit applications for loans through either program is Oct. 31.

For more information about the grant and loan programs or to complete an application, visit the OSFM website.