Illinois American Water is providing grants to ten area fire departments. The grants announcement comes during National Fire Prevention Week.
Illinois American Water Spokeswoman Karen Cotton says all area fire departments that made a request this year received what they requested. More than half of the fire departments received the maximum $1,000 grant.
The smallest grant amount was $600. All the grants are being used for the purchase of specific protective gear, water handling, rescue and communication equipment.
Illinois American also provided grants to a variety of other Northern, Central and Southern Illinois Fire Departments and Protection Districts.
This is the seventh year the water company has offered the grants and it’s provided more than 400-thousand dollars to local fire agencies. Illinois American also maintains the fire hydrants in its service area.