06/05/2026
IDNR has awarded nearly $495,000 in federal grants to 73 volunteer fire departments across Illinois to help purchase equipment and fund training programs.
Several Southern Illinois departments received funding through the Volunteer Fire Capacity grant program, which is administered through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service. The program reimburses up to 50 percent of project costs, with grants capped at $10,000.
Departments receiving grants south of Mt. Vernon included:
• Sesser Fire Protection District in Franklin County — $5,000
• McLeansboro Fire Department in Hamilton County — $10,000
• Goreville Fire Department in Johnson County — $10,000
• Rural Pope County Fire Protection District — $9,928.38
• Galatia Volunteer Fire Department in Saline County — $3,369.48
• Alto Pass Volunteer Fire Department in Union County — $1,931.96
• Fairfield Rural Fire Protection District in Wayne County — $9,480.50
• Norris City Fire Protection District in White County — $4,205.60
• Lake Egypt Fire Protection District in Williamson County — $9,999.63
• Jefferson Fire Protection District in Jefferson County — $4,785
• Ashley Fire Protection District in Washington County — $2,150
According to IDNR, the grants help rural fire departments purchase items such as radios, hoses, turnout gear, breathing apparatuses, chainsaws, and other firefighting equipment.
