All Around Pennsauken

Pennsauken Township, along with Camden and Collingswood, received an important federal grant to purchase necessary new equipment for their fire departments.

The fire departments for the three municipalities received funding for nearly $1.7 million worth of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) units after partnering on a 2014 federal grant application. SCBA units provide oxygen to responders inside toxic environments like burning buildings. Newer models have upgraded electronics, better safety features that warn firefighters when air is low, and allow responders to “marry up” to another air pack if the air supply runs low.

“The men and women who are our firefighters protect lives,” says Rick Taylor, Pennsauken’s mayor for 2015, who spoke at a special event last December that showcased the new apparatus.” To have this new equipment to protect their lives means a lot.”

The awarded grant is the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG), provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). In November 2014, Pennsauken and Camden Fire Departments, with Collingswood as the lead agency, submitted a regional grant. The total grant award, announced in May 2015, between the three towns is $1,692,633. Notably, the partnership between the towns was a key part of the application – the mention of mutual aid greatly helped the three municipalities earn the funding.

“Working together, Camden City, Collingswood and Pennsauken secured almost $1.7 million in federal funding for important life-saving equipment for their first responders,” said Congressman Donald Norcross. “The Assistance to Firefighters grant program helps our towns improve public safety without increasing the tax burdens of local residents. This is a remarkable accomplishment and I was proud to support their efforts.”

“We’ve got some great elected officials behind us that support our organizations every day,” added Chief Joe Palumbo of the Pennsauken Fire Department.

Funds from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant will be distributed in the following manner:

• Camden will receive 64 SCBA units and 120 additional face pieces at a total cost of $565,006.20 (federal share $513,642/local share $51,364.20)
• Collingswood will receive 26 SCBA units at a total cost of $214,002.80 (federal share $194,548/local share $19,454.80)
• Pennsauken will receive 111 SCBA units at a total cost of $913,624 (federal share $830,568/local share $83,056)

“The Pennsauken Fire Department is extremely proud to have participated in this regional grant project that brings savings to our three communities,” says Taylor. “A local expenditure of $83,000 to obtain $913,000 in federal funding to purchase breathing apparatus and related equipment that enhances firefighter safety and efficiency is remarkable to say the least and I join with Mayor Maley and Mayor Redd in congratulating our fire departments.”