Townbank Fire Company, Three Others Share Federal Funding

PRESS RELEASE FROM US REP. FRANK LOBIONDO:
Townbank Fire Company, Three Others Share Federal Funding
First Responders
Fire Companies in Salem, Cumberland, Cape May Counties Receive Awards
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Frank A. LoBiondo (NJ-02) today announced that three fire companies in South Jersey will share $186,328 in federal funding from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program, including the first fire grant of $108,062 for the Town Bank Volunteer Fire Company/Board of Fire Commission District #2 in North Cape May. To date, more than $19.5 million has been awarded locally to 114 organizations in the 2nd District since the program began in 2001.
“This is outstanding news for our volunteer firefighters and the residents of the community they serve. When there is an emergency, we know the men and women of our fire and rescue units will be there,” said LoBiondo. “I will continue to support critical programs like AFG to ensure they have the resources needed to keep our communities safe.”
“Our reaction was: Is this for real?! We are ecstatic to receive our first fire grant after several tries. We have attended the Congressman’s annual seminar for years. This funding will help us purchase personal protective equipment for our 36 staff members,” Town Bank Volunteer Fire Chief Lewis Megonigal said.
The Willow Grove Fire Company in Salem County will receive its second fire grant from the AFG Program, totaling $39,211. Their first fire grant, in the amount of $237,500, was awarded in September 2005 for the purchase of a new fire truck.
The Port Elizabeth Volunteer Fire Company is also receiving its second fire grant. Previously, the Cumberland County-based fire company received an August 2007 grant in the amount of $87,827. Today’s grant is in the amount of $39,055 for the purchase of safety equipment.
The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program awards grants directly to fire departments and emergency services to support their efforts to protect the communities they serve. The Fiscal Year 2009 program will distribute $565 million to first responder organizations across the country to obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training, and other resources required to protect the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards.
The Department of Homeland Security’s Office for Domestic Preparedness (ODP) administers the program, in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration. For the last seven years, Congressman LoBiondo’s office has hosted local seminars for area fire departments to highlight the benefits of this grant program, with the most recent seminar in February.