Cherry Hill, NJ - Today, Congressman Donald Norcross announced that Haddon Township fire department has been awarded a $325,905 grant from the federal government to purchase new equipment to improve their emergency response and save lives. Congressman Norcross advocated in support of the grant as early as December of last year. 

The department, primarily made up of volunteers, plans to use the federal funds to purchase new self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBA) and new firefighter protective clothing – also known as turnout gear. The breathing devices provide clean air in toxic life-threatening conditions and will replace the departments’ outdated SCBA.  

“Grants like this are the lifeblood for departments like Haddon Township’s that rely on volunteer firefighters and a limited budget to get the job done,” said Congressman Donald Norcross. “This federal grant will allow the men and women of this department to have the most up to date life-saving equipment without having to make harmful budget cuts or add to local taxes.”

Awarded through FEMA's Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program, these funds are designed to help communities meet their emergency response needs without placing an additional burden on their local budgets. The AFG program awards over $300 million annually to fire departments and EMS organizations nationwide in an effort to improve public safety and responsiveness in times of emergency.