New rescue vehicle to be purchased with $24K grant

The St. Clair Special Emergency Services Association was recently awarded some federal grant money to help purchase a new emergency response vehicle.

The announcement came from Rep. Mike Bost’s office last week. According to Bost, St. Clair as well as Franklin, Williamson and Pulaski counties are set to receive $3.2 million in federal grants or loans for rural developments through the Community Facility Grant program by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Bost said the communities of Mounds, Mound City, Sauget and Sesser are receiving a total of more than $2 million in grants, while Pulaski and Williamson counties have been allocated more than $1.2 million in direct loans.

The St. Clair Special Emergency Services Association, based in Sauget, is set to receive a $24,700 grant to go toward a new vehicle, according to a project announcement. The vehicle will replace their current high-mileage vehicle that is in need of repairs, the nonprofit said.

Donald Feher, board chairman of the nonprofit, said the association helps provide technical services to emergency responders in search and rescue situations as well as situations dealing with hazardous materials. Feher said a new vehicle should benefit first responders the most in these types of emergencies. The total cost of the project is $32,944.

“We’re appreciative that were were able to receive the grant and certainly we’ll put the vehicle to good use to serve the public,” Feher said.

This story was originally published August 29, 2016 at 12:12 PM with the headline "New rescue vehicle to be purchased with $24K grant."