GRANT RECIPIENT–The Prairie du Rocher Fire Department was one of 36 departments across the state to receive an Illinois Fire Department COVID Relief Grant. Pictured at the grant presentation are: Illinois State Fire Marshal Matt Perez with Prairie du Rocher Fire Department Board President Mark Marquardt.
Prairie du Rocher’s fire department was just one of two fire departments in Randolph County, and of 36 statewide, to receive a state COVID-19 relief grant.
The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM) recently announced the recipients of the one-time Illinois Fire Department COVID-19 Relief Grant. A total of over $316,000 dollars in funding was awarded to the 36 Illinois fire departments.
Under this one-time grant opportunity, eligible Illinois fire departments could receive up to $15,000 in order to make up for lost donation revenues stemming from their inability to host local fundraising events during the periods of quarantine in 2020. These fundraising events include pancake breakfasts and spaghetti dinners, and pay for necessities like fuel for fire trucks, utilities and insurance.
For more information on the relief grant, please see this week’s print edition.