Cherry Hill, NJ - Today, Congressman Donald Norcross announced the Collingswood, Pennsauken and Camden City fire departments have been awarded $1,538,758 from the federal government to purchase new equipment to improve their emergency response and save lives.  Through a joint application, the departments received the boost in federal aid to purchase new self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBA). 

The new devices provide clean air in toxic life-threatening conditions and will replace the departments’ outdated SCBA, which in some cases no longer meet official standards or function properly. Congressman Norcross advocated in support of the grant as early as December of last year. 

“As our municipalities continue working to do more with less, it’s great to see these South Jersey communities come together on a joint application that makes financial sense and will ultimately protect the well-being of our residents and first responders,” said Congressman Donald Norcross. “This federal grant will ensure that aid reaches the greatest number of people possible – providing life-saving equipment without having to make harmful budget cuts or adding 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.