MACOMB, IL - The Emmet - Chalmers Fire Protection District has received a $27,916.00 grant from the 2006Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The district will use thefunds to upgrade communications equipment.

The district will upgrade all of their communications equipment with modern two-way radios with some of the latesttechnology. This new equipment will include features that will greatly improve communications, firefighters safety,and firefighter accountability. The district will upgrade mobile radios in apparatus, the station, and all portable radios. The district will also upgrade the pagers that alert the firefighters. Some of the existing equipment is more than 10years old.

One of the main objectives of upgrading the district’s communications is to allow for better interoperablecommunications with other public safety agencies. The present communications equipment has limited channelcapacity. The new equipment will have a much larger channel capacity, allowing to district to communicate directlywith other agencies, including law enforcement, EMS agencies and other fire departments. Communicatingeffectively with other agencies will increase the coordination of the response.

"Public safety communications have changed a lot over the past several years. There is a much greater emphasis oninteroperability, the ability to talk with other agencies," said Fire Chief David Estes, "With this new equipment, we willbe better equipped to communicate with these other agencies. The new technology will also improve our owncommunications."

The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program assists rural, urban and suburban fire departments throughout theUnited States. These funds increase the effectiveness of firefighting operations, firefighter health and safetyprograms, new fire apparatus, emergency medical service programs, and fire prevention and safety programs in localdepartments. "The Assistance to Firefighters Grants program has been instrumental in building capacity and has provided neededresources for our nation’s firefighters," said Under Secretary for Preparedness George Foresman. "From the purchaseof equipment to first responder training, the AFG program has had an immensely positive impact on fire relatedinitiatives which has directly resulted in saving lives and property in communities throughout the United States."

The Emmet - Chalmers Fire Protection District is a volunteer department with 19 firefighters and 5 trucks. From theWest Adams Road station, the district covers an area west of the City of Macomb. The department responds to fires,accidents, assists hospital paramedics, and provides mutual aid to other area fire departments. Additionalinformation about the district may be found on their web site at: www.ecfpd.org