The Hovland Area Volunteer Fire Department will receive more than $28,000 for the recruitment of new firefighters and to ensure 24-hour protection for the Hovland area. Congressman Jim Oberstar and Senator Al Franken announced the $28,042 grant through the Department of Homeland Security’s Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response program (SAFER).
Hovland Fire Chief Shawn Perich credited fire department volunteer Sandy Taenzer with obtaining the grant for the Hovland department, one of several she has successfully applied for. Taenzer has also assisted Cook and Lake counties with grants for early childhood education.
Taenzer said she learned about grant writing when she worked as an administrator for early childhood programs in Illinois, seeking state and federal grants. “I like writing grants,” said Taenzer in a phone interview. “And I’ve learned a lot about fire fighting!”
Taenzer said the grant will help the fire department cover insurance expenses and will enable the department to pay a stipend for someone to work with trainees and on recruitment.
Perich said new firefighters are badly needed because a number of Hovland firefighters are nearing retirement age. “This is great news for our fire department,” he said. “This grant will allow us to recruit new members and will also allow us to conduct more training.”
“It’s imperative that the Hovland area has the first responders it needs to ensure the community’s safety,” said Senator Franken. “This funding will not only allow for the recruitment of new firefighters, but it will also make sure that they have the training they need to be as effective as possible.”
The SAFER program provides grants to fire departments for recruitment, retention, and hiring of firefighters across the nation. The Department of Homeland Security estimates that nearly $210 million will be awarded this year to enhance fire departments and volunteer support groups.
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