Washington, DC, NJ-Rep. Donald Norcross (NJ-01) today announced the Berlin Borough and Berlin Township Volunteer Fire Departments have been awarded a $279,762 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant.

The departments will use the funds to purchase 47 new self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) units, replacing 14-year-old equipment that’s considered both obsolete and does not comply with the National Fire Protection Association standards.

“Our heroes can’t be expected to provide the highest level of service with outdated safety gear. This grant will help the departments outfit our first responders with equipment that further ensures their safety and the safety of the community when there’s an emergency,” said Rep. Norcross, who supported the departments in their application for the grant.

Berlin Fire Company No.1 Chief Bill Behnke cited repeated equipment failures with the departments’ existing equipment due to wear and tear saying, “replacing our old, obsolete, non-compliant, and failing SCBA is the highest priority for improving firefighter safety and operations in the region.”

Chief Behnke says the new equipment will be compatible with that used by neighboring firehouses, allowing firefighters to communicate with one another, display the amount of cylinder air available, and provide access to rapid intervention teams, which rescue trapped firefighters.

Berlin Mayor James Bilella shared this reaction to the grant award: “[this is] truly significant to a small town like ours because it allows us to serve our population effectively. Our volunteer first responders need updated, modern equipment to do their jobs safely.”   

###

Congressman Donald Norcross is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the House Budget Committee, and serves as Assistant Whip in the 114^th Congress.