Illinois American Water Awards 122 Firefighter Grants for National First Responders Day

Illinois American Water (AWK) awarded more than $121,000 in firefighter grants to Illinois fire departments and districts this year.

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Illinois American Water (AWK) awarded more than $121,000 in firefighter grants to Illinois fire departments and districts this year. The 122 recipients receive support for equipment, training materials and community education through an application-based program with eligibility requirements.

Over the last 16 years, the program has provided nearly 1,300 grants totaling over $1.25 million to fire and emergency organizations serving its Illinois service area. This year's awards were announced in conjunction with National First Responders Day.

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10/28/2026 - 12:59 PM EDT

BELLEVILLE, Ill., Oct. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- This year, 122 Illinois fire departments and districts have been awarded more than $121,000 through Illinois American Water's Firefighter Grant Program. The awards build on nearly 1,300 grants totaling over $1.25 million provided to fire and emergency organizations serving customers in Illinois American Water's service area over the last 16 years.

The grants benefit residents across Illinois by helping fire departments meet critical equipment needs. Granite City Fire Chief Todd Richey said, "The funding addresses an immediate need for a specialized atmospheric gas testing meter, which firefighters use to check for natural gas or carbon monoxide leaks during emergency responses at industrial facilities, commercial buildings and homes."

Illinois American Water's Firefighter Grant Program is an application-based program with eligibility requirements and provides funding for organizations to purchase personal protective gear, communications equipment, firefighting tools, water handling equipment and training materials and to provide community education.

"Illinois American Water plays an important role in protecting homes and businesses by providing reliable water for firefighters to use when putting out fires," says Brian Eisenloeffel, President, Illinois American Water. "Through our partnerships with local fire departments, we help provide the tools, equipment, and resources firefighters need to keep our communities safe in emergency situations."

The following Illinois fire departments will receive funding:

Alhambra Community Fire Protection District
Allen Township Fire Protection District
Alton Fire Department
Andalusia Fire Protection District
Arcola Fire Protection District
Belleville Fire Department
Brighton Betsey Ann Fire Protection District
Broadlands Longview Fire Protection District
Cahokia Volunteer Fire Department
Cairo Auxiliary Fire Department
Camargo Countryside Fire Protection District
Carroll Fire Protection District
Champaign Fire Department
Cincinnati Fire Protection District
City of Freeport Fire Department
City of Peoria, IL Fire Department
City of Urbana Fire Department
City of Villa Grove Fire Department
Columbia Fire Protection Distrct
Cottage Hills Fire Protection District
Dana Fire Protection District
Deerfield - Bannockburn Fire Protection District
Des Plaines Fire Department
Dunlap Community Fire Protection District
East St. Louis Fire Department
East Side Fire Protection District
Eastern Prairie Fire Protection District
Edge-Scott Fire Department
Elgin Fire Department
Elmhurst Fire Department
Fairmont City Fire Department
Fairview Caseyville Township Fire Protection District
Farmington Fire Protection District
French Village Fire Department
Glen Carbon Fire Protection District
Godfrey Fire Protection District
Grand Ridge Volunteer Fire Department
Granite City Fire Department
Greenville Fire Protection District
Hamel Fire Protection District
Hardin Fire Protection District
Holiday Shores Fire Department
Hollywood heights volunteer fire department
Homer Twp Fire Protection District
Jerseyville Fire Department
Joliet Fire Department
Lake Zurich Fire Department
Lemont Fire Protection District
Leonore Volunteer Fire Department
Limestone Township Fire Protect District
Lincoln Fire Department
Lincoln Rural Fire Protection District
Lisle - Woodridge Fire District
Logan - Trivoli Fire Protection District
Lombard Fire Department
Long Lake Fire Department
Long Point Fire Protection District
Marine community fire protection district
Mascoutah Fire Department
Millstadt Union Fire Department
Mitchell Fire Department
Mokena Fire Protection District
Mt. Pulaski Rural Fire Protection District
Northwest Homer Fire Protection District
Northwest St. Clair County Fire Protection District
Oakwood Fire Protection District
O'Fallon Fire Department
Olive Fire Protection District
Oregon Fire Protection District
Orland Fire Protection District
Oswego Fire Protection DIstrict
Palos Fire Protection District
Peatonica fire protection District
Pesotum Fire department
Plainfield Fire Protection District
Pocahontas - Old Ripley Fire Protection District
Pontiac Fire Department
Prospect Heights Fire Department
QEM Fire Protection District
Reading Township Volunteer Fire Department
Rockton Fire Protection District
Romeoville Fire Department
Rosiclare Volunteer Fire Department
Sadorus Fire Department
Sandwich Fire Protection District
Sangamon Valley Fire Protection District
Sauget Fire Department
Saunemin Fire Protection District
Scales Mound Fire Protection District
Schaeferville Fire Protection District
Sidney Fire Protection District
Signal Hill Fire Department
Somonauk Firefighters Association
South Beloit Fire Department
South Elgin & Countryside Fire Protection District
Southwestern Illinois College Fire Science
St Clair Special Emergency Services
St. Charles Fire Department
St. Joseph - Stanton Fire Protection District
Sterling Fire Department
Streator Fire Department
Swansea Fire Department
Tolono Fire Protection District
Tremont Fire Protection District
Troy Fire Protection District
Tuscola Fire Department
University of Illinois Willard Airport Fire Department
Varna Community Fire Protection District
Venice Fire Department
Villa Hills Fire Department
Village of Bartonville Fire Department
Village of Brooklyn
Village of Clarendon Hills
Village of Mount Prosect Fire Department
Village of Savoy Fire Department
Warrenville Fire Protection District
Washington Park Fire Department
Washington Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad
West Peoria Fire Protection District
Win-Bur-Sew Fire District
Worden Volunteer Fire Department
York Center Fire Protection District

To bring attention to the importance of fire prevention and emergency planning, the awards follow National Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 4 - Oct. 10, and are announced in concert with National First Responders Day. Learn more at www.nfpa.org.

About American Water
American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886 and celebrating 140 years in 2026, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to approximately 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 19 military installations. American Water's approximately 7,000 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company's national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders. For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram.

About Illinois American Water
Illinois American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest regulated water utility in the state with approximately 600 dedicated employees working to provide safe, clean, reliable and affordable water and wastewater services to approximately 1.3 million people. American Water also operates a quality control and research laboratory in Belleville.

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