New Jersey American Water recently awarded a total of almost $50,000 in grants to 21 volunteer fire and EMS departments in its service areas to support firefighter safety, emergency response, and lifesaving equipment purchases.
The grant recipients can use the funds to make operational improvements tailored to the local response needs and buy life-saving equipment, such as gas leak detectors, gas meters defibrillators, and thermal imaging cameras.
"Every department knows its own needs best, and this program is designed to help local responders invest in the tools that will make the biggest difference in their communities," said Kim Schalek Downes, vice president of Business Development, Government and External Affairs on May 21. "We're proud to support that work year after year."
Since launching the program in 2011, New Jersey American Water has awarded 353 grants totaling more than $587,500 to 176 local volunteer fire departments and emergency response units in its service areas.
The 2026 Volunteer Fire and EMS Grant Program recipients are:
Atlantic County
Cardiff Volunteer Fire Company
South Egg Harbor Volunteer Fire Company No. 5 of Galloway Township, N.J., Inc.
Burlington County
Riverside Fire Company No. 1
Vincent Fire Co. 1
Camden County
Magnolia Ambulance Corps, Inc.
Oaklyn Fire Department
Cape May County
Upper Township
Essex County
South Orange Fire Department
Hunterdon County
Three Bridges Volunteer Fire Company
Middlesex County
Jamesburg Fire Department
Monmouth County
Community Fire Company of Leonardo
River Plaza Hose Company #1
Township of Middletown EMS Department
Morris County
Budd Lake Fire Department
Salem County
Quinton Fire Company
Salem Fire Department
Somerset County
Bound Brook Fire Department
Raritan Borough
Union County
Garwood Fire Department
Warren County
Good Will Fire Co. 1
Washington Borough Fire Department
Photo caption: (L-R) Kurt Driscoll, NJ American Water utility mechanic and volunteer firefighter with Strathmere Fire and Rescue is shown with Edward J. Scanlon, NJ American Water utility mechanic and deputy chief of Strathmere Fire and Rescue. Both Driscoll and Scanlon are members of the New Jersey American Water Fire Grant Committee. – Image courtesy of NJ American Water.
About New Jersey American Water
New Jersey American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, is the largest regulated water utility in the state with approximately 875 employees working to provide safe, clean, reliable and affordable water and wastewater services to approximately 3 million people.
