East Dundee Fire District awarded over $200,000 for new equipment

EAST DUNDEE — On July 22, the East Dundee Fire Protection District announced that it had been awarded a prestigious grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program. The grant will be used to fund the acquisition of state-of-the-art Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) equipment, which will enhance East Dundee firefighters’ safety and operational capabilities.

According to East Dundee Fire Protection District Chief Jason Parthun, the AFG program supports fire departments nationwide by providing financial assistance for equipment, training, and other resources essential to firefighter safety and effectiveness.

In addition, SBCAs are vital tools that enable firefighters to operate safely in hazardous environments, ensuring they have a continuous supply of clean air during firefighting and rescue operations. The new equipment the East Dundee Fire Protection District will purchase includes advanced features such as enhanced respiratory protection, improved voice communication, and increased durability.

Parthun added that the advanced new equipment features are vital for the demanding conditions faced during firefighting and rescue operations.

“We are honored to receive this grant from FEMA, which underscores our commitment to maintaining the highest firefighter safety standards,” said Parthun in a press release statement. “This funding will enable us to equip our firefighters with advanced SCBA, further enhancing our ability to protect lives and property in our community. Safety is our top priority, and these updated units will help us respond to emergencies more effectively.”

The competitive grant application process required detailed planning and justification for the requested equipment, demonstrating the department’s dedication to providing the best possible service to the community. The award reflects the department’s ongoing efforts to leverage federal resources to enhance emergency response capabilities.