The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal announced last week the recipients of the 2022 Small Equipment Grant Program. A total of $2.5 mil- lion was awarded to 104 fire departments/districts and EMS providers across the state. The program was established to provide grants of up to $26,000 each for the purchase of small firefighting and ambulance equipment.

Staunton Area Ambulance Service and Hamel Commu- nity Fire Protection District are among this year's award recipients. SAAS received $16,732.48 and Hamel Commu- nity FPD received $22,665.70.

Most Illinois fire depart- ments, fire pro...