Representative Lauren Underwood (IL-14) held a Fire Chief Summit in Oglesby with emergency responders across Illinois’ 14th District for a conversation about their needs and to share information on tools and key federal programs to support their departments.
The summit included workshops with representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help emergency responders learn more about funding opportunities and how to access additional federal resources.
“The closure of St. Margaret’s healthcare facilities around our region has brought a big burden on the first responders in our community,” said Underwood. “I’ve had many conversations with local leaders this year on this issue, but I knew that we had to get our emergency responders together in one room to hear directly from them about what they’re seeing. During our Fire Chief Summit, I learned more about the unique challenges they’re facing and we had a productive conversation about all of the ways our office and federal agencies can help fire departments apply for and receive federal funding. Our first responders in the 14th District are heroes, and I want them to know that we’re here to support them every step of the way.”
As a member of the Appropriations Committee, Underwood secured $23.9 billion for FEMA in the FY22 government funding package, a $2.19 billion increase from FY21. This included $720 million for firefighter grant programs.
She helped secure a combined $649,630 for the Mendota, Shabbona, and Aurora fire departments through Assistance to Firefighters Grants this year. Underwood is also working to relieve the strain on rural emergency services and first responders in the wake of the closures of St. Margaret’s hospitals in Peru and Spring Valley. Underwood announced $713,849 in funding from FEMA’s Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Program to help the Ottawa Fire Department hire additional firefighters. Additionally, Underwood is working to secure $1 million in federal funding for a new ambulance and fire station in northern Ottawa.