CLINTON COUNTY — The Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office has issued $7 million in no-interest or low-interest loans to emergency responders across the state, including to one agency in our listening area.

The loans are made available through the Fire Truck Revolving Loan Program and Ambulance Revolving Loan Program. Under the program, fire departments, fire protection districts and ambulance service providers may apply for low-interest or no-interest loans for the purchase of a fire truck or ambulance.

Hoffman Fire Protection District in Clinton County received a Fire Truck Revolving Loan for $120,000.

Under the FTRL program, fire departments, fire protection districts and township fire departments may apply for up to $350,000 in low-interest or no-interest loans for the purchase of a fire truck or brush trucks. The loans must be repaid within 20 years.

Nineteen Illinois communities received funds for fire trucks and six received funds for ambulances.

Under the ARLP program, units of local government and not-for-profit ambulance service providers can apply for no-interest or low-interest loans of up to $200,000. These loans must be paid back in 10 years.

The Fire Truck Revolving Loan Program (FTRL) and Ambulance Revolving Loan Program (ARLP) are designed to assist departments or cities in purchasing emergency vehicles that they may not otherwise be able to afford.