Illinois American Water distributes grant to Elmhurst Fire Department

The Elmhurst Fire Department will be purchasing fire protection suits, thanks to a grant from Illinois American Water. The IAW 2016 Firefighter Grant Program provides financial assistance to fire and emergency organizations serving communities in its service areas. This year, approximately $49,600 will be awarded to 62 fire departments. To date, the program has resulted in over 350 grants totaling over $342,000 awarded across the state.

"Our teams partner closely with fire departments, testing and operating every fire hydrant across the state and working hard to ensure reliable water service for fire protection, but we wanted to do more," said Bruce Hauk, president of Illinois American Water. "This program enables us to further support our local heroes in the communities we serve."

Grants of up to $700 are awarded to cover the costs associated with the following:

• Personal protective gear;

• Communications equipment;

• Firefighting tools;

• Water handling equipment;

• Training and related activities/materials used to support community fire protection;

• Reimbursement for specific fire training classes, including training manuals and workbooks.

Bill Anaszewicz, Elmhurst Deputy Fire Chief, thanked Illinois American Water during the check presentation stating: "The Elmhurst Fire Department is extremely thankful to the American Water organization and appreciates that they have selected our department as a grant recipient. The suits will provide the firefighters the protection they must have to respond during these extreme situations."

Illinois American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to approximately 1.2 million people. American Water also operates a customer service center in Alton and a quality control and research laboratory in Belleville.

Illinois American Water ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Water Utilities in the Midwest" according to J.D. Power's 2016 Water Utility Residential Customer Satisfaction Study. American Water is the largest and most geographically diverse publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company. Marking its 130th anniversary this year, the company employs 6,700 dedicated professionals who provide regulated and market-based drinking water, wastewater and other related services to an estimated 15 million people in 47 states and Ontario, Canada. More information can be found by visiting www.amwater.com.