he DeKalb Fire Department received one of the highest grants in the state from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and U.S. Fire Administration.

The $225,000 grant is part of the agency’s annual distribution. This year, $360 million was distributed to fire departments all over the country. The Chicago Fire Department received the most money from the annual distribution with $267,228.

Former Fire Chief Pete Polarek applied for the grant last year, DeKalb Fire Chief Lanny Russell said.

The money will be used to replace a rescue truck in Fire Station 3, which Russell described as a “big toolbox.”

Grant money is given to the departments in a series of rounds. DeKalb got the grant during the 12th round, according to www.firehouse.com.

The fire department will get the money when the rescue truck is purchased.

Last year, the DeKalb Fire Department used its grant money to purchase two thermal imaging cameras.

“We were very pleased,” Russell said. “It helps us meet our mission here in DeKalb.”