Belvidere fire department gets federal grant

BELVIDERE, Ill. — The Belvidere Fire Department is getting more than $300,000 in federal grant money for recruiting more firefighters.

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin announced the Federal Emergency Management Agency grant on Thursday. The money is aimed at increasing the number of frontline firefighters.

Durbin says firefighters are called upon to protect Illinois communities and the grant will help make sure those who put themselves in harm’s way are equipped.