BurlingtonTownship nets grant for life-saving equipment

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Chris Smith today announced thatfire companies in Burlington City and Burlington Township have won importantfederal grants to help with the purchases of a replacement fire truck andturnout gear-boots, helmets, and fire and water-resistant pants and jackets.

The all-volunteerBurlington City Fire Department will receive $261,250 toward the purchase of anew pumper fire truck to replace two models from 1986 and 1978. Cityfirefighters will also receive $188,708 to purchase replacement protective gearfor its 90 volunteers.

The Burlington TownshipFire District No. 1 will receive $65,430 for the purposes of purchasing extricationequipment used to free victims trapped in motor vehicle accidents or structuralcollapse. The township received $85,212 last year toward the purchase of 50sets of turnout gear.

"The BurlingtonTownship Fire Department responds to highway crashes and road emergencies onRoute 130, I-295 and the New Jersey Turnpike," Smith said.  "Havingupdated and sophisticated equipment to carefully extricate victims trapped incrushed vehicles or collapsed structures will help reduce injury and in somecases save lives."

The competitive grantsSmith announced are provided through the US Department of Homeland Security'sFederal Emergency Management Agency, in cooperation with the U.S. FireAdministration.  This award is made under the 2nd round of the Fiscal Year2009 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program as provided by PL 101-329,legislation Smith supported. 

Smith, a member of theCongressional Fire Services Caucus, voted to create the equipment grant programin 2000. Congress created the program to upgrade capabilities of localfirefighters to respond to fires and fire-related hazards, such as vehicularaccidents.

 "Modernfirefighting equipment is both necessary and expensive, and this grant programis a good example of a federal-local partnership established to help betterprotect our firefighters and the community they serve," Smith said.