Congressman Chris Smith today announced that a federal grant has been awarded to a Hamilton Township fire company by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

“Colonial Volunteer Fire Company serves a very populated area,” Smith said. “This grant of $124,687 will help pay for life-supporting breathing gear that will allow firefighters to go into smoke-filled buildings.”

The company, officially Fire District No. 8, is located on Kuser Road in Hamilton Township. The funds will pay for 25 sets of self-contained breathing apparatus.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration, determines grant recipients. This award is made under the 21st round of the Fiscal Year 2008 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program.

Smith voted to create the equipment grant program in 2000 and is a member of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus. The AFG program is part of the national effort to upgrade capabilities of local firefighters to respond to fires and fire-related hazards. The program has provided over $2.7 billion to first-responder organizations to purchase response equipment, personal protective equipment and vehicles.

“Congress and FEMA have an important role to play in helping our firefighters stay prepared,” Smith said. “Firefighters and their families make sacrifices to protect the communities they serve. We need to make sure our first responders have the equipment and resources they need to do the job.”

###