Broadview Fire Department Wins $1.6 Million Federal Grant for 9 Towns

(Broadview, IL) – The Village of Broadview’s Acting Fire Chief, Matt Martin, announced on Monday the award of a $1.6 million federal fire assistance grant sought by Broadview on behalf of nine regional communities’ fire departments.

The award, a fire assistance grant issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, will enable Broadview, whose share is $236,955, and the other communities to obtain equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training, and other resources necessary for protecting the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards, according to Martin.

“Thanks to substantial, thoughtful, and diligent work by the Broadview Fire Department team, Broadview and eight other regional communities will obtain money to invest in critical first responder equipment,” said Martin during the October 16 regular meeting of the Board of Trustees. “In Broadview, the Fire Department will invest in new mobile radios for our first responder vehicles, which is a huge life-safety priority for the department.”

Mayor “praises” award.

“Let me offer my deepest appreciation to Acting Fire Chief Matt Martin and the Broadview Fire Department staff for successfully collaborating with the other communities and assembling a world-class grant application,” said Mayor Katrina Thompson. “In a future emergency, the new first responder radios will, undoubtedly, save a life or lives of Broadview residents because quality communication among first responders in an emergency is vital.”

The Board of Trustees voted 5-0, with one abstention, Trustee Sheila Armour, to accept the $1.6 million federal grant.

“I was very disappointed that Trustee Armour voted to abstain on that vote,” said Thompson. “That’s a disservice to the Village of Broadview because federal grants allow the village to fund such life-safety projects without raising taxes on Broadview residents.”

In addition to Broadview, the other recipients of the award will be the Schiller Park, Elmwood Park, River Grove, Rosemont, Leyden Township Fire Department, Westchester, Norwood Park, and Maywood.

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