, August 25, 2025
News Summary
In a Shawneetown ceremony, the state awarded significant grants to three Southern Illinois fire departments to repair, upgrade or build stations and buy equipment. Shawneetown and Carrier Mills each received $350,000 while Equality was awarded $300,000. These awards are part of the inaugural Fire Station Construction and Rehabilitation Program, which distributed $5 million to 16 grantees statewide. The state fire marshal highlighted complementary programs including a 0% interest truck and ambulance revolving loan and a small equipment grant program for gear like air packs. Funds will move into planning, procurement and construction according to local timelines.
State awards up to $350,000 to three Southern Illinois fire departments at Shawneetown ceremony
Shawneetown, Illinois — State fire safety officials announced grants and loans for local departments during a presentation at the Shawneetown Fire Department, sending immediate funding to three Southern Illinois stations to upgrade buildings and equipment. Two departments received the program maximum of $350,000 each and a third received $300,000, with the statewide initiative providing a broader round of inaugural awards across Illinois.
Key awards announced at the event
At the Shawneetown event, the Shawneetown Fire Department and the Carrier Mills Fire Department were each listed as receiving $350,000 through the new Fire Station Construction and Rehabilitation Program. The Equality Fire Department received $300,000 through the Office of the State Fire Marshal’s loan program for construction projects. Some reports summarized the three local awards as a combined $1,000,000, while other accounts described the package as totaling more than $1.5 million; the larger statewide program figure confirms additional allocations made at the same time across the state.
Inaugural statewide funding and program purpose
The announcement was part of the program’s inaugural year distribution, with the statewide awards for this round totaling $5,000,000 to 16 grantees. The program is designed to help departments repair, upgrade, or construct fire stations, and it makes grants available up to $350,000 per project. Recipients were chosen through a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity that was open to municipal fire departments, fire protection districts, and township fire departments.
Local impact and examples
Officials at the Shawneetown presentation emphasized immediate needs that the funding addresses. Shawneetown showcased new breathing air packs acquired through a separate small equipment grant, and its chief explained that without this mix of grants and loans the department would have little ability to afford both modern gear and planned renovations to their station, which was built in 1984. Carrier Mills displayed a recently purchased fire engine acquired with a 0 percent interest revolving loan for vehicles, and local leaders described the loan program as a critical tool given modern truck prices commonly exceeding the mid six-figure range.
Other state programs mentioned
The Office of the State Fire Marshal operates multiple funding streams alongside the construction grants. Those include a Fire Truck and Ambulance Revolving Loan Program that offers 0 percent interest loans for vehicle purchases and a Small Equipment Grant Program that helps departments buy costly gear such as air packs. Officials highlighted how combining grant and loan programs allows smaller departments to modernize equipment while moving forward on building projects.
List of 2025 Fire Station Construction and Rehabilitation Grant recipients
The 16 grantees named for the 2025 awards include a range of rural and municipal departments across the state. Notable allocations in the list include multiple $350,000 awards and smaller grants tailored to the needs of smaller districts. Recipients named in the announcement include departments in Alexander, Gallatin, Hamilton, Jackson, Johnson, Marion, Mason, Montgomery, Morgan, Pike, Saline, Union, and White counties, with award amounts ranging from under $30,000 to the $350,000 program maximum.
Selection and next steps
Applications were scored through a competitive process that prioritized safety improvements, structural repairs, and replacement or construction of stations that improve response capabilities. Departments that received awards will proceed with planning, contracting, and construction or rehabilitation work under program guidelines. The state’s fire marshal office indicated that the set of initiatives aims to improve firefighter safety and community protection across multiple jurisdictions.
Notes on reporting and public information
Some published accounts of the event included minor typographical inconsistencies in dollar figures; the program’s official listing provides the authoritative award amounts for each grantee. For further program details, departments and interested parties are encouraged to consult the Office of the State Fire Marshal’s public materials and funding guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Fire Station Construction and Rehabilitation Program?
The program is a new statewide funding effort to help fire departments repair, upgrade, or build stations. It distributes grants of up to $350,000 per project and was awarded competitively in its inaugural year.
Who received awards at the Shawneetown event?
Three Southern Illinois departments were announced at the Shawneetown presentation: Shawneetown Fire Department ($350,000), Carrier Mills Fire Department ($350,000), and Equality Fire Department ($300,000).
How were recipients chosen?
A competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity was used. The NOFO was open to municipal fire departments, fire protection districts, and township fire departments, and applications were scored against program criteria.
Are there other state programs for fire departments?
Yes. The state also operates a Fire Truck and Ambulance Revolving Loan Program that offers 0 percent interest vehicle loans, and a Small Equipment Grant Program for high-cost gear like air packs.
Who should I contact for more information?
Departments seeking details on application rules, timelines, or eligible projects should refer to the Office of the State Fire Marshal’s official materials and public notices.
Key program features at a glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Program name | Fire Station Construction and Rehabilitation Program |
| Maximum grant | $350,000 |
| Statewide inaugural total | $5,000,000 to 16 grantees |
| Local awards announced at Shawneetown | Shawneetown $350,000; Carrier Mills $350,000; Equality $300,000 |
| Other related programs | 0% vehicle revolving loans and Small Equipment Grants |
| Eligible applicants | Municipal fire departments, fire protection districts, township fire departments |
| Purpose | Repair, upgrade, or construct fire stations to improve firefighter and public safety |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
Additional Resources
- The Southern: State fire marshal’s office awards $1M to Southern Illinois fire departments
- Wikipedia: Fire Station Construction and Rehabilitation Program (Illinois)
- WSIL-TV: Shawneetown, Carrier Mills fire stations get $1M in state grants
- Google Search: Southern Illinois fire station construction grants
- WPSD Local 6: State fire marshal’s office awards $1M to Southern Illinois fire departments
- Google Scholar: Fire Station Construction and Rehabilitation Program Illinois
- KBSI23: Fire marshal awards $1.5 million to Southern Illinois fire departments
- Encyclopedia Britannica: fire stations grants Illinois
- RiverBender: OSFM awards $5 million for construction or rehabilitation of fire stations in Illinois
- Google News: Southern Illinois fire station grants
Author: Construction CA News
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