Serving the 71st District with Mike Boland

One of the ways we try to make a difference in people's everyday lives from Representative Boland's office is by providing support and assistance for firefighters. Mike Boland has been a true champion for firefighters, both in Springfield, and here at home.

All the way back in 1998, Mike Boland was given the "Legislator of the Year" award by the Firefighter’s Association. More recently Boland received the prestigious "Golden Helmet Award" from the Professional Firefighter’s Association. The Golden Helmet Award is the highest honor given to a civilian by Firefighters. Mike also was awarded the "White Helmet Award" by the Volunteer Firefighter’s Association, their highest civilian honor.

Mike has passed legislation protecting the jobs of volunteer firefighters if they are late or absent from work while responding to an emergency. He’s also passed legislation making it a crime to impersonate a firefighter. Not only has Boland passed legislation in Springfield to help Illinois Firefighters of all kinds, he’s also delivered a number of grants to fund desperately needed firefighting and lifesaving equipment for many of the fire protection districts in the area Boland represents.

I’m especially proud of our successes at Mike’s office this year on behalf of firemen. In Savanna we were able to secure a $25,000 for a new fire truck. We also recently awarded Fulton Fire Protection District with $100,000 for new construction. Later this week we will be announcing grants for both the Barstow Fire Protection District and the Carbon Cliff Fire District.

A few years back we were able to secure $90,000 for Albany to help purchase a new pumper truck. From Boland’s office we were also able to secure $40,000 for Erie Fire District to help with the construction of a new fire station. At the same time, $30,000 was allocated to the Henry County Emergency Services Center through Boland’s efforts, and Port Byron received $25,000 to help with thermal imaging equipment which allows firefighters to identify victims even if their vision is obstructed by heavy smoke. Another $20,000 went to Hampton Fire and Rescue district to help with a pumper truck, and $18,250 was awarded to the Moline Second Alarmers group to help with the cost of an air supply vehicle. Finally, $1750 was granted to Thomson for an auto-defribrillator.

Pictured above is Representative Boland presenting a $100,000 check to Fulton Fire District.

# posted by Mike Huntoon @ 5:34 PM