By Cynthia Grau/WJEZ News

Five local fire departments received $700 each as a part of the 2016 Illinois American Water Firefighter Grant Program.

Karen Cotton, external affairs manager for the company, said Long Point, Reading Township, Streator, Pontiac and Saunemin departments all received money and have very specific ways they plan to use it.

“We really do like to partner with our fire departments. We work with them on a daily basis. We appreciate what they do as heroes in the community, so this is just one more way we can contribute in their efforts. In our Saunemin area – it’s interest because they’ll be using the $700 grant to offset the cost of a battery powered rescue tool which is actually a life saving tool used to spread, lift and cut farm machinery and other objects during a farm accident. We thought that was an interesting use of the funds and an innovative way to help their community,” Cotton said.

For more information, visit amwater.com.