Congressman Norcross Announces More Than $2.5M in Funding for 10 South Jersey Fire Depts.
South Jersey Observer
September 20, 2019
U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) announced on September 20, 2019 that ten local fire departments will receive a total of $2,561,133 in funding from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA).
“This federal funding will help protect those who are protecting us,” said Congressman Norcross. “We must do all we can to ensure our firefighters are as safe as possible when they are fighting fires, battling natural disasters and saving lives. This funding provides our first responders with the equipment and additional resources they need to best serve our communities day in and day out.”
From DHS’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program:
- $1,438,476 to Voorhees Township
- $418,400 to Berlin Fire Company
- $269,697 to Gloucester City Fire Department and Camden Fire Department
- $210,364 to Cherry Hill Fire District
- $106,363 to Washington Township Fire Department
- $42,073 to Gloucester Township Fire Department
- $34,285 to Hi-Nella Fire Company
- $22,428 to Glendora Volunteer Fire Company
- $19,047 to Bellmawr Fire Department
“The Voorhees Township Fire Department is excited about receiving an award notice from the 2019 Homeland Security FEMA AFG Grant,” said Louis J. Bordi, Chief of Police of Voorhees Township. “Protecting the public and our fire service personnel from fires and related hazards continues to be our highest priority.”
“I want to thank Congressman Norcross for his support to obtain this grant which will aide our communities and neighboring communities with providing needed man power during daytime hours where it is difficult to find available volunteers,” said Michael Kernan, Chief of the Berlin Fire Company. “The grant also provides funding to recruit and retain additional volunteers beyond the daytime hours and overall bolster the volunteer membership of both volunteer organizations, and ultimately ensure the safety of the community and neighboring community as we respond to calls throughout Camden County.”
“This will increase working relations/brotherhood between the two cities fire departments as they respond to mutual/automatic aid emergencies together,” said Patrick R. Hagan, Chief of Gloucester City Fire Department.
“When you consider the safety and wellbeing of a firefighter, the only thing greater than experience is training,” said Michael L. Harper, Chief of Camden Fire Department. “Because the fire service is evolving every day and presenting more risks for first responders our supervisors are challenged to keep our members current when operating in hazardous environments. To help with that we provide our fire officers with all the tools necessary to be effective leaders in the fire service. The FEMA AFG program that was supported by Congressman Norcross will help us to insure our fire officers are properly trained to perform their duties in field and in the station.”
“Receiving this award will allow for the purchase of 30 Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA), 45-minute SCBA cylinders and 56 high temperature face pieces,” said Chris Callan, Chief of Cherry Hill Fire Department. “The Cherry Hill Fire Department’s current supply is starting to become obsolete and problematic, which has caused an increase in repairs, parts, labor and downtime. SCBA is an essential component to firefighting and emergency response. Cherry Hill Firefighters will now be equipped with the safest, modern equipment available to do their jobs to protect the community they serve. Without the support of Congressman Norcross and Senator Booker receiving this grant would not have been possible.”