Friday, November 03, 2006
Boland Presents $50,000 each to Carbon Cliff and Barstow Fire Districts
At Representative Boland's office, we have a strong commitment to helping the first responders who put their lives on the line protecting the well being of our communities. Today at 11:30, Representative Boland will hold a ceremonial check presentation ceremony to present $50,000 grants for new fire trucks to both Carbon Cliff and Barstow Fire districts.
The event will be hosted by Fire Chief John Swan at the Colona Fire Station. John Swan's a great guy, and I am proud to know him. In addition to his duties in Colona, Fire Chief Swan is also the President of the Volunteer Firefighter's Association. John's a real inspiration, he has been tireless in the work he does to help firefighters across all of Illinois. Illinois is a little better place due to the work of John Swan, and I am honored to consider him a friend.
Here's a copy of the news release for the event.
Boland Awards $100,000 To Local Fire Departments
State Representative Helps to Fund Fire Trucks For Barstow and Carbon Cliff
COLONA, IL — At a news conference and check presentation ceremony, State Representative Mike Boland presented two giant oversized checks, for $50,000 each, to Barstow Fire Protection District and Carbon Cliff Fire Department. Boland’s grants will help fund new fire trucks for each of these two departments. Colona Fire Chief John Swan, who also heads the Illinois Volunteer Firefighters Association, hosted the check presentation ceremony which was attended by firefighters and fire board members from both Barstow and Carbon Cliff.
"I have great admiration and respect for the proud men and women who provide fire protection to our communities," Boland began. "As a State Legislator, I consider it a real privilege to be able to play a role, not only in passing legislation for both professional and volunteer firefighters, but also in providing much needed funding to help local fire districts," he added. "So, I am very proud to be here today presenting checks for $50,000 each to fire protection districts from Barstow and Carbon Cliff," Boland said.
"Volunteer firefighters from our more rural areas were once overlooked by legislators from urban areas with paid full time fire service," Boland added. "It’s taken some time to educate legislators from the more densely populated cities in Illinois, of the valuable and essential role our volunteer firefighters play," he continued. "To make it personal for some of my colleagues, I’ve had to point out that in the event of a car accident or similar emergency on their drive to Springfield, about 90% of their trip would be covered by volunteer firefighters," Boland commented.
In 1998, Boland was recognized with the Legislator of the Year Award by the Firefighter’s Association. In 2004 Boland was the recipient of the highest honor Firefighters award to civilians, the prestigious "Golden Helmet Award." Volunteer firefighters have also recognized Boland with their highest honor, the "White Helmet Award."
Boland is providing this grant from what is commonly called Individual Legislative Initiative funding, grant money legislators receive to help local government within their legislative districts. Boland is distributing a total of $1 million in grants for the 71st district in 2006.
The event will be hosted by Fire Chief John Swan at the Colona Fire Station. John Swan's a great guy, and I am proud to know him. In addition to his duties in Colona, Fire Chief Swan is also the President of the Volunteer Firefighter's Association. John's a real inspiration, he has been tireless in the work he does to help firefighters across all of Illinois. Illinois is a little better place due to the work of John Swan, and I am honored to consider him a friend.
Here's a copy of the news release for the event.
Boland Awards $100,000 To Local Fire Departments
State Representative Helps to Fund Fire Trucks For Barstow and Carbon Cliff
COLONA, IL — At a news conference and check presentation ceremony, State Representative Mike Boland presented two giant oversized checks, for $50,000 each, to Barstow Fire Protection District and Carbon Cliff Fire Department. Boland’s grants will help fund new fire trucks for each of these two departments. Colona Fire Chief John Swan, who also heads the Illinois Volunteer Firefighters Association, hosted the check presentation ceremony which was attended by firefighters and fire board members from both Barstow and Carbon Cliff.
"I have great admiration and respect for the proud men and women who provide fire protection to our communities," Boland began. "As a State Legislator, I consider it a real privilege to be able to play a role, not only in passing legislation for both professional and volunteer firefighters, but also in providing much needed funding to help local fire districts," he added. "So, I am very proud to be here today presenting checks for $50,000 each to fire protection districts from Barstow and Carbon Cliff," Boland said.
"Volunteer firefighters from our more rural areas were once overlooked by legislators from urban areas with paid full time fire service," Boland added. "It’s taken some time to educate legislators from the more densely populated cities in Illinois, of the valuable and essential role our volunteer firefighters play," he continued. "To make it personal for some of my colleagues, I’ve had to point out that in the event of a car accident or similar emergency on their drive to Springfield, about 90% of their trip would be covered by volunteer firefighters," Boland commented.
In 1998, Boland was recognized with the Legislator of the Year Award by the Firefighter’s Association. In 2004 Boland was the recipient of the highest honor Firefighters award to civilians, the prestigious "Golden Helmet Award." Volunteer firefighters have also recognized Boland with their highest honor, the "White Helmet Award."
Boland is providing this grant from what is commonly called Individual Legislative Initiative funding, grant money legislators receive to help local government within their legislative districts. Boland is distributing a total of $1 million in grants for the 71st district in 2006.
