Seven rural fire protection and ambulance districts in the area have been awarded small equipment grants through the office of the State Fire Marshal, according to State Senator Andy Manar.

Five of the seven districts are located in Montgomery County. They include the Fillmore Community Fire Protection District, Nokomis Area Fire Protection District, Nokomis-Witt Area Ambulance Service, Taylor Springs Fire Department, and Raymond Community Fire Protection District. The Morrisonville-Palmer Fire Protection District and the Long Creek Fire Protection District in Macon County were the others that also received the grants.

100 fire departments statewide have been awarded a share of $2 million in funds for the Fiscal year 2018 Small Equipment Grant Program, which provides grants of up to $26,000 to purchase small equipment. Examples of small equipment include firefighting items such as cylinder tanks, flashlights and hand-held radios; EMS emergency response equipment such as AED machines, backboards and stair chairs; and vehicle rescue equipment such as extrication tools and air lifting bags.