October 10, 2003
For Immediate Release

Congressman Kirk Announces $450,000 FEMA Grant Awarded to Deerfield-Bannockburn Fire Protection District
Money will be used to purchase new state-of-the-art fire truck

Deerfield, IL -

Congressman Kirk (R-Highland Park) announced Friday that the Deerfield-Bannockburn Fire Protection District had received a $450,000 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The grant falls under FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program and will be used to replace an aging medium duty ladder truck with a new state-of-the-art fire truck that serves as both an engine/pumper and a ladder truck.

“We must ensure that our first responders are able to provide the best and safest response to residents in our community,” said Kirk. “More importantly, we must protect the health and safety of our firefighters. The fire truck that will be purchased with this grant money will do exactly that.”

The new fire truck, commonly called the “Quint” will supplant the role of an aged aerial ladder truck. The truck that is currently in use is one of the last units of its kind still operating in the United States. Slides of this model are typically used in Fire Officer Classes where trainers are quoted saying, “Remember when we used to operate like this.” The vehicle carries no water, and has no pump. It currently takes both an engine and the ladder to achieve a single operation at a fire scene.

The “Quint” fire truck supplies maximum efficiency with minimal manpower. It is a multi-purpose truck, carrying water and a hydraulic air ladder. The “Quint” will also double as an EMS response unit carrying medical equipment and staff. It will serve as a platform for technical rescue as well as “Rapid Intervention Team” deployment.

“The resident population of Deerfield and the surrounding communities continue to grow,” said Congressman Kirk. “As our towns become busier and the values and size of our homes increase, the need to have modern equipment that better protects our residents becomes greater. I am pleased that FEMA recognized the Deerfield-Bannockburn Fire Protection District’s need to replace an outdated fire truck and I look forward to seeing the state-of-the-art “Quint” fire truck in operation soon.”

The Deerfield-Bannockburn Fire Protection District hopes to have the “Quint” fire truck in operation sometime next year.

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