Wheeling Fire Department awarded federal grant

The Wheeling Fire Department and one in East Dubuque will be getting nearly $60,000 in federal funding to improve response to fires and other emergencies.

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, a Springfield Democrat, says the grants help equip firefighters with the best tools for their jobs protecting residents.

Under the Department of Homeland Security, the competitive grant program is to strengthen the level of preparedness and ability to respond to fire and related hazards in the country.

Illinois received 132 awards in 2010. The awards totaled over $14.8 million in federal funding to first-responder organizations. The funds were used for response equipment, protective equipment, training, and vehicles.