SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan announced today that he is releasing $503,000 in Illinois FIRST Funding to the Illinois Association of Fire Protection Districts to purchase thermal imaging cameras for 41 fire protection districts and fire departments in Southwestern Illinois.

The Illinois Association of Fire Protection Districts represents 700 districts and provides numerous services to members, including educational seminars, publications, and management and financial services. The thermal imaging cameras will be used to increase the fire fighting capabilities of each district, helping to control property loss and save lives. Thermal imaging cameras allow fire fighters to see victims through smoke or darkness. The project will benefit 300,000 people.

This Illinois FIRST project was initiated by State Sen. Frank C. Watson, R-Greenville.

The forty-one recipients are:

• Greenville FPD
  
• Mulberry Grove FPD
  
• Shoal Creek FPD
  
• Aviston FPD
  
• Beckemeyer-Wade Township FPD
  
• Breese FPD
  
• Carlyle FPD
  
• Clin-Clair Volunteer FPD
  
• Germantown Rural FPD
  
• Hoffman FPD
  
• Pocahontas Old Ripley Fire and EMS
  
• Huey-Ferrin-Boulder FPD
  
• Keyesport FPD
  
• New Baden Volunteer FPD
  
• Santa Fe FPD
  
• St. Rose Volunteer FD
  
• Sugar Creek Township FPD
  
• Brownstown FPD
  
• Ramsey FD
  
• St. Elmo FPD
  
• Vandalia Volunteer FPD
  
• Fosterburg FPD
  
• Hamel Community FPD
  
• Highland-Pierron FPD
  
• Marine Community FPD
  
• New Douglas Community FPD
  
• St. Jacob Township FPD
  
• Troy FPD
  
• Worden FD
  
• Centralia FD
  
• Centralia Rural FPD
  
• Luka FPD
  
• Kell Community FPD
  
• Kinmundy-Alma FPD
  
• Odin FPD
  
• Patoka FPD
  
• Salem FPD
  
• Sandoval FPD
  
• Lebanon0Emerald Mound Volunteer FD
  
• O'Fallon-Shiloh Valley Caseyville FD