Franklin Park Herald-Journal: Franklin Park Fire Department to receive $461,724 grant

The following article appeared in the Franklin Park Herald-Journal on January 10, 2014. The original article can be found here.

By Mark Lawton

Franklin Park is getting $461,724 to hire new firefighters and paramedics.

The money comes from a grant issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The village applied for the grant in September 2013. U. S. Rep. Mike Quigley (D-5), who serves on the House Appropriations Committee, pushed for the village to get the grant.

In April 2013, when firefighters signed a two-year contract with the village, Chief Steve Iovinelli said there were 39 firefighters plus the chief.

That number had dropped through attrition from seven years earlier, when the department had 46 firefighters and 12 contract paramedics.

The grant is not renewable. However, the fire department can reapply for another grant.

Iovinelli did not return calls for this article as of Thursday afternoon.