Section 292.20  Purpose and Qualifications

a)         The OSFM and the Illinois Finance Authority shall jointly administer a program to provide zero-interest loans for the purchase of an ambulance or ambulances by a not-for-profit emergency medical service or a unit of local government (township fire department, fire protection district or municipal fire department) that provides emergency medical service to a geographic area.

b)         The OSFM shall determine loan awards based on equipment needs, financial need, and how recently the applicant has received a previous loan under this program, supplemented by recommendations from the Authority based on creditworthiness.   A loan for the purchase of an ambulance shall not exceed $100,000 in any single fiscal year to any recipient.

c)         Applicants who are required by the Fire Investigation Act [425 ILCS 25/6] to report fires to the OSFM must have participated in the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) for a minimum of two years immediately preceding the date of application for the loan in order to be considered for a loan.

d)         Fire departments or emergency medical service providers that are for-profit entities are not eligible to apply for a loan under this program.  Units of local government that do not operate emergency medical service units are similarly not eligible (e.g., a municipality that contracts for emergency medical services from another municipality or fire district).