Applications are now open for the Office of the State Fire Marshal's Small Equipment Grant Program. OSFM will award $1.5 million to eligible Illinois fire departments and ambulance services for the purchase of small firefighting and ambulance equipment. All interested departments should send an application to OSFM electronically or postmarked no later than November 30, 2022.
All applicants are required to have participated in the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) for a minimum of two years prior to applying. The OSFM will require departments to be current from August 2020 through August 2022 for this grant period. Additional information including the application can be found here.
Fire truck/ambulance revolving loan program application period opens. Fire Departments and Protection Districts across Illinois can apply for interest free loans for fire trucks through the Illinois Fire Truck Revolving Loan Program. Applications must be electronically submitted or postmarked no later than October 31, 2022.
Applications to the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM) should contain plans to purchase a fire truck, brush truck, or ambulance. The OSFM, if it approved the application, will lend a successful applicant up to $350,000 to buy a fire truck/brush truck, and up to $200,000 to buy an ambulance.
Many of these vehicles cost much more than $350,000/$200,000, and the program is meant to provide help to fire protection districts, other units of local government, and ambulance districts and ambulance services providers. Not-for-profit private-sector ambulance service providers are eligible to apply. Approximately $2.7 million will be available through this loan window.