KEWANEE, Illinois — The City of Kewanee has received two federal grants totaling more than $370,000 to bolster its fire prevention and emergency response efforts.
U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen, D-Illinois, announced that Kewanee secured $166,666 through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Fire Prevention and Safety grant program. The funds will be used to launch a Community Risk Reduction Plan targeting all businesses and public access buildings in the city, according to Fire Chief Stephen Welgat.
“Fire prevention saves lives before emergencies happen,” Mr. Sorensen, a Moline Democrat, said. “This grant will help Kewanee invest in proactive safety efforts that protect our neighbors and first responders.”
The fire chief noted the funding allows the department to “fortify the fire prevention aspects of public safety that would have otherwise been financially unattainable.”
In addition, the Kewanee Fire Department also was a recipient of a $203,561.66 FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant in fiscal year 2024. Those funds were used to purchase three new automatic external defibrillators, or AEDs, which have already arrived and are in service.
FEMA completed awarding its 2024 fire grants in September.
