PR Newswire·Oct 28, 2026, 12:59 PM ET

Illinois American Water Awards 122 Firefighter Grants for National First Responders Day

Illinois American Water awarded more than $121,000 to 122 fire departments & districts in Illinois.
Total grants distributed over the last 16 years now exceed $1.25 million for nearly 1,300 organizations.
Funding supports critical equipment needs including personal protective gear, communications tools, water handling equipment, & training materials.
Granite City Fire Chief Todd Richey noted immediate funding for specialized atmospheric gas testing meters to detect leaks.
Program eligibility is application-based & aims to enhance community safety through emergency response capabilities.
Brian Eisenloeffel, President of Illinois American Water, emphasized the partnership's role in providing resources for firefighters.
122 specific fire departments & districts across Illinois received funding, ranging from Alhambra Community to York Center Fire Protection District.
Awards were announced following National Fire Prevention Week (Oct. 4 - Oct. 10) & in concert with National First Responders Day.
Illinois American Water serves approximately 1.3 million people & is a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK).
American Water operates in 14 states, serves 14 million people, & celebrated 140 years of service in 2026.