New Jersey American Water this month launched its 2026 Volunteer Fire and EMS Grant Program, which provides funding for volunteer fire departments and emergency response organizations across the utility's service area.
Eligible organizations include volunteer fire departments, ambulance squads, and fire aid units. Applications will be accepted through April 10 to allow departments additional time to align requests with budgeting and equipment needs.
Volunteer emergency response organizations can apply online here.
Grants of up to $2,500 may be used for personal protective gear, communications equipment, first aid supplies, firefighting tools, vehicle maintenance, and other operational needs. Reimbursement for specific training courses, including the costs of training manuals and instructional materials, is also eligible.
A committee composed of New Jersey American Water employees — many of whom also serve as volunteer emergency responders — will review submissions to help ensure funding supports real‑world needs in the field.
Since the program's launch in 2011, New Jersey American Water has awarded 332 grants totaling more than $451,000 to 207 volunteer fire departments and emergency response units. To determine grant eligibility, interested organizations can view the list of communities within the utility’s service territory here.
Departments selected for 2026 funding be notified in early May. New Jersey American Water will announce the full list of awardees later that month.
Caption: (L-R) Kurt Driscoll, utility mechanic and volunteer firefighter with Strathmere Fire and Rescue, and Edward J. Scanlon, utility mechanic and Deputy Chief of Strathmere Fire and Rescue. Both are members of the New Jersey American Water Fire Grant Committee. – Image courtesy of New Jersey American Water.
