, August 25, 2025
News Summary
In a Shawneetown ceremony, the state awarded significant grants to three Southern Illinois fire departments to repair, upgrade or build stations and buy equipment. Shawneetown and Carrier Mills each received $350,000 while Equality was awarded $300,000. These awards are part of the inaugural Fire Station Construction and Rehabilitation Program, which distributed $5 million to 16 grantees statewide. The state fire marshal highlighted complementary programs including a 0% interest truck and ambulance revolving loan and a small equipment grant program for gear like air packs. Funds will move into planning, procurement and construction according to local timelines.
State awards major fire station construction grants to three Southern Illinois departments
State officials delivered funding to three Southern Illinois fire departments during a visit to Shawneetown, where the Shawneetown Fire Department received $350,000, Carrier Mills Fire Department received $350,000, and Equality Fire Department received $300,000. The awards are part of the inaugural Fire Station Construction and Rehabilitation Program, created to repair, upgrade, or build modern fire stations across the state.
What was announced and how much
The statewide initiative issued $5 million in its first year to 16 grantees. At the Shawneetown visit, reporting on the three local awards varied: some materials described a combined total of $1 million for the three departments, while other accounts noted the event presented more than $1.5 million in funding when including related programs and loans showcased during the visit.
Program purpose and eligibility
The newly launched Fire Station Construction and Rehabilitation Program offers grants up to $350,000 to help fire departments and fire protection bodies fund construction and rehabilitation projects. The awards were chosen through a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity open to fire departments, fire protection districts, and township fire departments.
List of 2025 grant recipients and award amounts
The inaugural recipients include a mix of single and multi-department awards across the state. Notable awards in Southern Illinois included Shawneetown and Carrier Mills at $350,000 each and Equality at $300,000. The full roll of 16 grantees and amounts is summarized below in the accompanying table.
Other related state programs highlighted at the event
State fire marshal staff also described several other financing and equipment programs that work alongside the construction grants:
- Fire Truck and Ambulance Revolving Loan Program — zero-percent interest loans aimed at vehicle purchases.
- Small Equipment Grant Program — grants to buy high-cost lifesaving gear such as air packs and related equipment.
Local impact and department priorities
At the Shawneetown gathering, Carrier Mills showed a recently acquired fire engine purchased with assistance from the revolving loan fund, while Shawneetown displayed newly purchased air packs funded by the small equipment program. Local leaders noted that without these combined funding streams, many departments would struggle to afford vehicles, protective gear, and needed building renovations for stations dating back decades. Shawneetown’s main station was identified as having been built in 1984 and is slated for planned renovations supported by the grant.
Selection and rollout details
The inaugural competitive NOFO evaluated applications from eligible fire agencies across the state. Grants were awarded to a diverse set of communities to address both urgent safety needs and longer-term infrastructure projects. The program is intended to be a reproducible model for future rounds of funding, pairing construction grants with low-cost loans and targeted equipment grants to maximize community-level impact.
How communities can learn more
Departments interested in future funding rounds or in the state’s revolving loan and equipment grant options are encouraged to consult Office of the State Fire Marshal resources for details on upcoming NOFOs, eligibility, and application guidance.
FAQ
Who received funding in Southern Illinois?
The Shawneetown Fire Department and Carrier Mills Fire Department each received $350,000, and the Equality Fire Department received $300,000.
How much money was awarded statewide in the program’s first year?
The inaugural Fire Station Construction and Rehabilitation Program awarded a total of $5 million to 16 grantees statewide.
What can grant funds be used for?
Grants may be used to repair, upgrade, or construct fire stations and related training spaces and infrastructure.
Are there other funding programs for departments?
Yes. The Office of the State Fire Marshal operates a 0% interest revolving loan program for fire trucks and ambulances and a Small Equipment Grant Program for costly gear like air packs.
How were recipients chosen?
Recipients were selected through a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity open to fire departments, fire protection districts, and township fire departments.
Key features at a glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Program name | Fire Station Construction and Rehabilitation Program |
| Total statewide (2025) | $5,000,000 to 16 grantees |
| Max award | $350,000 |
| Local awards highlighted | Shawneetown $350,000; Carrier Mills $350,000; Equality $300,000 |
| Other OSFM programs | 0% revolving loans for vehicles; small equipment grants for air packs and gear |
| Eligibility | Fire departments, fire protection districts, township fire departments |
| Selection method | Competitive NOFO process |
Complete list of 2025 grant recipients (recap)
Tamms Fire Department $71,011; Equality Fire Department $300,000; Shawneetown Fire Department $350,000; McLeansboro Fire Department $350,000; Village of Gorham Volunteer Fire Department $350,000; Buncombe Fire Department $350,000; Vienna Fire Department $350,000; Kell Community Fire Protection District $348,000; Bath Fire Protection District $350,000; Witt Volunteer Fire Protection District $331,000; Village of Chapin Fire Department $28,415; Franklin Fire Protection District $350,000; Spring Creek Fire Protection District $350,000; Carrier Mills Fire Department $350,000; Ware-Wolf Lake Fire Protection District $349,789; Norris City Fire Protection District $71,785.
For departments seeking future funding, it is recommended to follow official program announcements for NOFO release dates, application instructions, and documentation requirements.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
Additional Resources
- The Southern: State fire marshal’s office awards $1M to Southern Illinois fire departments
- Wikipedia: Fire Station Construction and Rehabilitation Program (Illinois)
- WSIL-TV: Shawneetown, Carrier Mills fire stations get $1M in state grants
- Google Search: Southern Illinois fire station construction grants
- WPSD Local 6: State fire marshal’s office awards $1M to Southern Illinois fire departments
- Google Scholar: Fire Station Construction and Rehabilitation Program Illinois
- KBSI23: Fire marshal awards $1.5 million to Southern Illinois fire departments
- Encyclopedia Britannica: fire stations grants Illinois
- RiverBender: OSFM awards $5 million for construction or rehabilitation of fire stations in Illinois
- Google News: Southern Illinois fire station grants
Author: Construction NY News
NEW YORK STAFF WRITER The NEW YORK STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at constructionnynews.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New York and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the New York Build Expo, infrastructure breakthroughs, and cutting-edge construction technology showcases. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Associated General Contractors of New York State and the Building Trades Employers' Association, plus leading businesses in construction and real estate that power the local economy such as Turner Construction Company and CMiC Global. As part of the broader network, including constructioncanews.com, constructiontxnews.com, and constructionflnews.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into the dynamic construction landscape across multiple states.
