CHERRY HILL, NJ – Today, U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) announced that five South Jersey Fire Departments have been awarded $827,558 total in Assistance to Firefighter Grants (AFG) from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This federal funding will allow the departments to hire more firefighters, buy new equipment and enhance safety measures.

“This federal funding will help protect those who are protecting us,” said Congressman Donald Norcross. “These grants will allow our local departments to hire more firefighters and ensure our first responders have the equipment they need to best serve our communities day in and day out. We must do all we can to keep our firehouses well-staffed and keep our firefighters as safe as possible when they are battling fires and saving lives.”

The amounts of the South Jersey AFG awards follow:

• $641,905 – Laurel Springs Fire Department (in Laurel Springs)
• $153,367 – Voorhees Township Fire Department (in Voorhees)
• $18,285 –  Westville Fire District (in Westville)
• $7,143 – Hi-Nella Fire Company No. 1 (in Hi-Nella)
• $6,858 – Gloucester City Fire Company (in Gloucester City)

This announcement precedes Norcross’ First Responders Grant Workshop on Thursday, October 11, 2018 at 5:00 pm in Bellmawr, which will provide local departments with information about the first responders grant application process so they can take advantage of future funding opportunities.

“Voorhees Township appreciates receipt of the Homeland Security Grant,” said Mayor Michael Mignona of Voorhees. “Keeping our families safe will always be our most important job.”

“The federal funding award will allow for the replacement of essential first responder equipment dawned by our career and volunteer members of the Voorhees Township Fire Department,” said Chief Louis Bardi, Director of Fire and Emergency Services in Voorhees.  “Our outdated Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) will be replaced with state of the art equipment that will allow our members to respond to calls in our community, and surrounding communities, with the confidence needed to supply superior services our residents have come to expect. This award will undoubtedly increase the safety for our firefighters for years to come and will save local tax dollars.”

“First, I have to thank Councilman Chuck Murtaugh for all his hard work on this grant,” said Mayor of Westville, Russ Welsh. “Chuck has written and submitted every one of them on behalf of the Fire Department saving us a lot of money and obtaining equipment, that we as a small town we can’t afford. This latest grant, will allow the Department to purchase 24 new masks with thermal imaging cameras built in them.”

The AFG Program supports state fire departments, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) organizations and fire training academies to improve their ability to protect the well-being and safety of all Americans and first responders.

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