Durbin Highlights New Funding Available For Illinois Rural EMS Agencies

Statement

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today encouraged rural communities in Illinois to apply for a new grant opportunity to support fire and emergency medical services (EMS). The funding, created through Durbin's Supporting and Improving Rural EMS Needs (SIREN) Act, supports EMS agencies in training and recruiting staff, conducting certification courses, and purchasing equipment--for everything from naloxone and personal protective equipment (PPE), to power stretchers or new ambulances. Rural fire and EMS agencies in Illinois interested in applying for grant funding through Durbin's SIREN Act can apply here until February 14, 2022.

"Across our state, rural EMS agencies are on the front lines of responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, the opioid crisis, and treating the emergency needs of an aging population. Yet many face workforce and geographic challenges in their communities and lack steady funding to support their operations," Durbin said. "That's why I worked to pass and fund the SIREN Act and am urging rural communities in every corner of our state to take advantage of this funding opportunity."

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