Grant helps Peoria firefighters get new gear

PEORIA, Ill. (AP) - The Peoria Fire Department has new headgear for new hires thanks to a grant from an Illinois utility company.

Pekin Daily Times (bit.ly/1PFfcJf) reports the Illinois American Water Company gave an $800 equipment grant to the city department and the same amount to 10 other volunteer and full-time departments in Peoria and Tazewell counties.

The grant almost covers the full cost of four helmets and face masks in Peoria. The department's Chief Chuck Lauss says each helmet cost about $220. Each set of headgear is expected to last eight to 10 years.

A firefighter's day-to-day equipment and gear costs about $3,000.

The utility company gave $50,000 to more than 70 fire departments statewide.

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Information from: Pekin Daily Times, http://www.pekintimes.com