Every Du Quoin firefighter has gotten a grant

Du Quoin Walmart manager Jamey Fowlkes presented Du Quoin firefighter Aaron Haggard with a check for $1,000 Friday, a grant that will buy smoke detectors and educational materials for the department. Aaron has been with the department for about a year.

Moreover, according Capt. Adam Hill, it means that every firefighter in the department has now written and received grant funds for the department.

And, some of them are huge.

In fact, their hard work the past two years has landed an unprecedented $332,995 in grant money from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Office of the Illinois Fire Marshal.

Capt. John VanVoorhis in 2013 submitted an Assistance to FirefighterÕs Grant application to the Department of Homeland Security.

The award was $216,685.50 with a local match of only $11,404.50.

Already received are 21 sets of personal protective equipment which include 21 helmets, turn-out pants and coats and protective hoods and gloves. Equipment ordered and on its way includes 24 self-contained breathing apparatus with extra cylinders, a 6000 PSI compressor with four bottle 6000 PSI cascade systems (stored air supply) and Class II fill station.

Capt. Adam Hill wrote a grant application to the Illinois Office of State Fire Marshal.

The value of the grant approved was $26,000 with no local match required.

It purchased a new Hurst battery-powered ÒJawsÓ and Hurst battery powered cutters (each with extra battery and charger).

Du Quoin firefighters Jordan Crain and Will Riggio submitted an application for a 2014 FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant.

The value of the grant was for $90,250 with a local match of only $4,750.

The grant purchased a vehicle exhaust system for Station 1 and fire apparatus communications system.

The exhaust system will remove diesel and gasoline engine exhaust from inside the equipment bays during daily vehicle checks and routine maintenance.

The fire apparatus communications system allows hands-free operation of communications by driver to dispatch and other responding firefighters while providing adequate hearing protection to vehicle occupants.

Congratulations to all on your extraordinary success in securing funds which will keep firemen safe and assist rescue and extrication operations.