Casten Announces Second Federal Grant of the Summer for Westmont Fire Department
Downers Grove, IL – U.S. Representative Sean Casten (IL-06) announced that the Westmont Illinois Fire Department has been awarded a second Assistance to Firefighters (AFG) Grant from the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency. This $181,818 grant will enable Westmont Fire Department to better protect the health and safety our community as well as first responders by obtaining much needed emergency response equipment and vehicles, specialized training, PPE, and other supplies critical to Norther Illinois' ongoing COVID-19 response.
This $181,818 grant is the second awarded to Westmont Fire this summer following a $38,205 COVID-19 Supplemental AFG announced on on July 8, 2020.
Casten, who has continually advocated for federal COVID-19 relief for Illinois state and local emergency response said, "As we continue working together through this incredibly challenging moment, it is critical that our firefighters and first responders have our steadfast support and the resources they need to best protect themselves and our communities. Only three weeks ago, I had the chance to call Fire Chief Riley to personally congratulate him on another $38,205 COVID-19 Supplemental AFG Grant. This additional grant funding will go even further for our community by providing Westmont Fire with resources necessary for effective emergency and coronavirus response. Long before this pandemic, our local firefighters put their lives on the line every day to keep our families safe. Now more than ever, we owe the brave men and women at Westmont Fire a depth of gratitude for their incredible work and sacrifice. I am grateful for all their work, and I will continue to fight for federal funding to ensure all of Illinois' heroic essential workers have what they need to keep our communities safe."