Quigley Announces Federal Grant to Aid Elmhurst Fire Department
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05) announced the award of $200,910 in federal funds through the Assistance to Firefighter Grant (AFG) program to the Elmhurst Fire Department. The grant will be used to replace 38 Self Contained Breathing Apparatuses (SCBA), a device worn by rescue workers, firefighters, and others that provides breathable air in emergency situations.
"As the only Illinois member on the House Appropriations Committee, one of my main responsibilities is driving federal dollars back home to Chicago and the Fifth District," said Rep. Quigley. "Grants like the one awarded to the Elmhurst Fire Department directly support one of the core roles of government – protecting its citizens. I'm proud to fight for increased funding for these grants and drive some of that back home to Elmhurst."
"This Assistance to Firefighter Grant award will help protect the lives and safety of all Elmhurst Firefighters and the community they serve while enhancing regional response capabilities," said Jeffery Bacidore, Fire Chief of the Elmhurst Fire Department.
In a letter of support for the grant, Rep. Quigley highlighted that the SCBA's currently used by the Elmhurst Fire Department do not meet current National Fire Protection Association standards. Malfunctions were occurring more frequently, resulting in more repairs and higher upkeep costs. The SCBA's are worn by firefighters when they enter hazardous atmospheres that can be immediately dangerous to their life and health.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighter Grant (AFG) program was created to provide grants directly to fire departments, non-affiliated Emergency Medical Services organizations (EMS), and state fire training academies to enhance their ability to protect the health and safety of the public, as well as that of first-responders. Since 2001, AFG has helped firefighters and other first responders to obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training and other resources needed to protect the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards.
During 2013, the Elmhurst Fire Department responded to over 6,000 calls, while serving a population of 44,121 spread over 10.25 square miles.
As the only Illinois member on the House Appropriations Committee, Rep. Quigley has used his position to advocate for increased federal public safety funding to Illinois and the Chicago area. This month, he pushed to increase funding for firefighter grants by $130 million through savings provided by an amendment he offered to the Department of Homeland Security appropriations bill. Last year, Rep. Quigley secured $461,724 through the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program for the Franklin Park Fire Department, which was used to hire additional firefighters and paramedics. He has also used his position to advocate for increased funding for additional public safety personnel through Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) hiring grants. COPS hiring grants provide federal funds to allow cities to put more police officers on the streets.
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