Blackwood Fire Company Receives $3K Grant From SJ Gas

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — The Blackwood Fire Company has received a $3,000 grant as part of South Jersey Gas company’s First Responders Grant Program, the utility announced. The department will use the money to purchase brackets needed to safely mount self-contained breathing apparatuses into their fire trucks.

The self-contained breathing apparatus is a vital life safety tool that protects firefighters from a multitude of hazardous situations in the field – from structure fires to carbon monoxide incidents. Each apparatus is mounted with brackets into fire trucks, which secures the device while firefighters are responding to calls and gives them mobility when the breathing apparatus is not in use.

The fire department is currently in the process of replacing all existing apparatus with new, upgraded devices. All the brackets are also being replaced so the apparatus can be safely secured into each truck. All apparatus and brackets are expected to be replaced by the middle of this year.

“On behalf of our entire department, we would like to thank South Jersey Gas for their generosity in selecting us for this grant award,” Blackwood Fire Department Captain Frank Reiss said. “These necessary upgrades to our equipment demonstrate our tireless commitment to the service and protection of the Blackwood community – allowing for quicker deployment of our firefighters in hazardous situations and providing peace of mind for all of the residents we serve.”

Blackwood Fire Company is one of eight recipients selected to receive the latest round of grants from South Jersey Gas.

“Each year, our First Responders Grant Program provides vital financial assistance to support operations, improve safety and provide training to departments throughout the South Jersey region,” South Jersey Gas President Dave Robbins said. “This investment is a way for South Jersey Gas to help our hardworking, courageous first responders and express our gratitude for the work they do each day to ensure our communities remain safe and well protected. We are proud to partner with the Blackwood Fire Company and commend them for their efforts.”

“I congratulate the members of Blackwood Fire Company on this award, and recognize each of them for their continued dedication to the community,” Gloucester Township Mayor David Mayer said. “The safety and overall well-being of our residents is vitally important to myself, Gloucester Township officials and all of our public safety departments. This grant helps ensure our firefighters can best serve those in need, and we thank our friends at South Jersey Gas for their generosity.”

The First Responders Grant Program will be offered again in the fall. All First Responders Grant Program recipients represent local police, fire or emergency medical services departments that are comprised of paid or volunteer staff members serving residents in municipalities located within the utility’s service area. Program information, eligibility guidelines and applications are available on the South Jersey Gas website at www.southjerseygas.com/community.

The attached images were provided by South Jersey Gas:

Photo #1: Pictured, from left to right: Firefighter Bill Prendergast; Firefighter Ray Woods; Chairman David Vannoni; Chief Joe Cipriano; Lauren Hurtt, Supervisor, Public Affairs for South Jersey Gas; Gloucester Township Mayor David Mayer; Commissioner Rich Jones; Commissioner John McCann; Firefighter Jason Stott; and Firefighter Jim Cape.

Photo #2: Chief Joe Cipriano of the Blackwood Fire Company showcases one of the new brackets the department plans to purchase with the $3,000 grant from South Jersey Gas’ First Responders Grant Program.