The Odin Fire Department has been awarded a $10,049 Illinois Fire Department COVID-19 relief grant.
The department was one of 36 fire departments to receive the special grant that was created to help fire departments who raise a large amount of money for their operations from fundraisers that could not be held last year due to COVID-19.
Odin Fie Chief Greg Smith says the department lost considerable funds when the Odin Firemen’s Picnic had to be canceled.
Odin will use the money to replace four portable radios and purchase new pagers that will be compatible with digital radio traffic if a conversion to digital is ever made in Marion County.
Four Clinton County Fire Departments also received grants. The Germantown and Beckemeyer-Wade Fire Protection Districts received $15,000 apiece, the Wheatfield Fire Protection District $8,760, and the Hoffman Fire Protection District $2,904.
In Fayette County, the Brownstown Fire Department received $9,655.