Jordan Announces Grant for Vanlue Fire Department

Congressman Jim Jordan (R-Urbana) announced today that the Department of Homeland Security has approved $4,901 in operations and safety funding for the Vanlue Fire Department.

The funding is made available through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program, through which DHS will award roughly $500 million to fire departments and other emergency responders across the nation this year.

"Competition for federal funding is always tough, and Vanlue is a most deserving recipient," Jordan said. "This grant will help the area's first responders be better prepared to save lives."

The funding will be put toward the purchase of a rescue boat and related gear. Jordan wrote to DHS last year in support of Vanlue's application.

Since the program's inception in 2001, nearly $13 million has been awarded to fire departments in the Fourth District. Vanlue received $65,691 in AFG Program funding in 2007.