Marengo Fire receives state grant for equipment purchases

The Marengo Fire Protection District was the recipient of a $26,000 grant from the state to help the district buy new equipment.

Marengo was one of 149 Illinois fire departments to receive a portion of a $3.3 million grant as a part of the Small Equipment Grant Program through the Illinois State Fire Marshal.

“Without grants such as these, we would not be able to make the needed upgrades to provide the services that our citizens deserve,” Marengo Fire Chief John Kimmel said.

The department plans to buy battery-operated extrication equipment, which are heavy tools that use hydraulics to move heavy materials, Kimmel said. They will be buying spreaders, cutters and a ram with the grant to put on their squad.

The spreaders and cutters commonly are known as the “jaws of life.” The tool has the ability to cut through heavy materials or spread them apart and is often used to rescue trapped victims in situations such as car accidents.

Kimmel said buying battery-operated equipment is more efficient for firefighters because they don’t require a power source or hydraulic hoses.

“This equipment will be put on our squad which not only will benefit the citizens of Marengo, but neighboring communities where we respond to for major accidents and other types of incidents,” Kimmel said.

The new equipment will not replace existing equipment, but add to their capabilities, he said.

“Departments have had to make tough financial decisions, especially this year during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Illinois State Fire Marshal Matt Perez said in a statement. “Ensuring our first responders in Illinois have properly functioning lifesaving equipment they need to perform their duties safely, while protecting their communities, is our top priority. The Small Equipment Grant Program helps reduce the burden on smaller departments/districts while replacing aging and sometimes failing small equipment.”

The Fire Marshal received 446 applications for the maximum $26,000 grant.

In Lake County, firefighters in Libertyville and Winthrop Harbor also received grants. In Kane County, the Burlington Community Fire Protection District and Montgomery & Countryside Fire Protection District also received funds from the program.