Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04) announced today that the Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Department, Manchester Township, has been awarded an Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) award for over $210,000 to purchase critically-needed self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and turn out gear.  

    "This important FEMA grant will help protect firefighters in harm’s way in Manchester Township,” said Smith, a long-time member of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus. “Firefighters require reliable equipment in order to survive in smoke-filled environments. Ridgeway members need this funding to safely do their jobs—which is protecting the lives, homes and businesses of the people they serve. The equipment they use currently is nearly out of date, so this grant will help keep them safe for years.”

    The funds will be used to replace low-pressure SCBA gear including new face pieces and high-pressure bottles. The new equipment will replace older sets that are out of compliance and unreliable. Turn-out gear is comprised of the fire suits, boots and helmets.

    "Our turn-out gear is more than 20 years old, and our air packs are outdated after next year. This couldn't have come at a better time," said Mike Trimarchi, Chief of Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Department

    The award, for $210,455, comes through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grants Operations and Safety Grant Program. It is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration. The purpose of AFG is to award grants directly to fire departments and non-affiliated Emergency Medical Services organizations (EMS) to protect both the health and safety of the public, and first-responder personnel as well. A competitive process overseen by fire service subject matter experts awards grants to applicants whose requests are aligned with the priorities of the AFG Program. For more about the FY 2014 AFG Program visit http://www.fema.gov/assistance-firefighters-grant.

    This is round 10 of the competitive FY 2014 fire grant announcements. Smith voted to create the equipment grant program in 2000. Congress created the program to upgrade capabilities of local firefighters to respond to fires and fire-related hazards, such as vehicular accidents.

    Congressman Smith, who represents New Jersey’s Fourth Congressional District in the House of Representatives, has offices in Mercer, Monmouth, and Ocean Counties. The Monmouth County office is located at 112 Village Center Drive, Raintree Town Center, 2nd floor. The phone number is (732) 780-3035.

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