Illinois fire unit shops for truck

McCLURE, Ill. -- The McClure-East Cape fire department is shopping for a new fire truck.

"We're in the process of taking bids now," said Stanley Mouser, fire department chief. "We sent out bid information to a half dozen companies."

Once bids are in, it will take about 11 months for delivery of the custom-built vehicle.

The McClure-East Cape District has received two grants totaling $217,000 for a new fire engine and to upgrade equipment that will improve fire service and protection for the district's residents, said Joe Aden, mayor of East Cape Girardeau, Ill.

"This will upgrade the volunteer fire department," said Mouser, who added that the district had three fire stations and from 12 to 18 volunteer firefighters.

"We have five vehicles, but they're old," he said.

Fire stations are at McClure, East Cape Girardeau and Gale, Ill.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency had announced recently that five fire departments in Illinois had qualified for grants in the final round of awards under the Assistance to Firefighters Program.

The McClure-East Cape Girardeau Fire Protection District will receive $207,000 for the new vehicle, thanks to the efforts of U.S. Rep. Jerry Costello, D-Ill. Illinois state Rep. Jim Fowler helped secure a $10,000 grant.

"We have to provide 10 percent of the funds for the new truck," said Mouser.

The five Illinois departments -- McClure-East Cape Girardeau, Sterling, Ford Heights Villa, Dixmoore and Berwyn -- were among 128 fire departments across the United States to receive more than $9 million in grants in the 11th round of awards under the Assistance to Firefighters Program.

More than $400,000 of the funds in this round are to be used for personal protective equipment, $580,000 for fire prevention programs, $2.5 million for wellness and fitness programs, $1.68 million for firefighting equipment and $3.9 million for vehicles.

The McClure-East Cape Fire District has received two previous grants of $10,000 each, which were use to upgrade firefighting equipment and some radio equipment.

rowen@semissourian.com

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