Today, Rep. Donald Norcross (D-NJ) joined local Cherry Hill officials at the Cherry Hill Fire Department to highlight the more than $4.3 million in federal funding that has been secured since 2018 to train and equip firefighters and enhance public safety.

“Bringing federal dollars back to South Jersey to enhance and improve our public safety remains one of my top priorities in Congress,” Rep. Norcross said. “We cannot thank our firefighters and first responders enough for the jobs that they do, but we can provide them with the necessary tools, equipment, and resources needed to keep them out of harm’s way and keep our communities safe. I will continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to keep South Jersey safe and support our firefighters and first responders.”

Rep. Norcross has worked closely with the Cherry Hill Fire Department to secure the funding through Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants and training through Assistance to Firefighter grants (AFG) to improve and enhance public safety in Cherry Hill and throughout the region.

“The Cherry Hill Fire Department is part of the foundation for our outstanding public safety system in the Township and I know every penny of federal funding enhances and improves their overall operation, which benefits our community,” said Cherry Hill Township Council President David Fleisher said. “That said, I want to take a second to thank Congressman Norcross for his commitment to our residents and our first responders by being a constant advocate for us in the U.S. Capitol.”

Rep. Norcross secured a FY2022 SAFER grant in the amount of $2,641,608 to hire eight firefighters. In addition to this SAFER award in 2022, he also secured two AFG awards for $337,848 to send over 45 members to Hazardous Materials Technician training and $385,404 to conduct monthly live fire training and implement a state-of-the-art personal accountability program.

“The reception of federal grants over the past several years has had a direct effect on a daily basis to both the residents and visitors of Cherry Hill and the South Jersey region as well as our Firefighters & EMT’s,” Cherry Hill Fire Chief Wade Houlihan said. “Congressman Norcross leadership and endorsement has ensured that we are able to deliver premier emergency services effectively and efficiently.”

These grants come on the heels of four other AFG awards (FY2018, 2019, 2020, 2021) received by the Cherry Hill Fire Department in the last five years totaling a YTD of $4,367,830 in funding awarded for staffing fire apparatus, training or firefighters, and providing lifesaving equipment.

“The PFANJ and the IAFF actively work in our nation’s capital to ensure that these invaluable grants are properly funded,” said Matthew Caliente, president of the Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey. “We take great pride in seeing our locals take advantage of these grants, which keep firefighters and their communities safe. This grant award is a testament of the tireless work of Congressman Norcross and his colleagues, our representatives at the state level, the PFANJ and IAFF, and the leadership of our local unions and fire districts.”