WASHINGTON DC - The Federal Emergency Management Agency will give $2.5 million to 17 fire departments and fire protection districts in Illinois to help them improve their fire response capabilities. 

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin said in a release Friday the money will be provided from the Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. The program is intended to improve the national level of readiness for fires and related emergencies. It has about $380 million to spend this fiscal year. 

The largest awards among those announced Friday in Illinois were $534,000 for the Chicago Fire Department and $375,000 for the Kankakee Township Fire Protection District. 

Other grants include $209,000 to the Claremont Bonpas Fire Protection District, $189,000 for the Steger Fire Department will and $184,000 for the Tamms Volunteer Fire Department.