Cherry Hill Fire Department Scores Grant from FEMA

Cherry Hill’s fire department will get a six-figure boost from the federal government, thanks to a grant announced Friday by U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews.

The department is the recipient of a $462,078 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant, which will go toward hiring more firefighters.

"This grant will not only ensure that Cherry Hill's residents are adequately protected from fire and other hazards, but it does so without the township having to make more difficult cuts or raise taxes," said Andrews in a statement. "While our economy continues its recovery, those in public safety have been forced to go beyond the call of duty by continuing to provide top-quality service with less resources.”

Mayor Chuck Cahn said public safety, including the township’s police and fire departments, are a top priority for local government.

"That service should never be jeopardized by the economy,” Cahn said in his statement. “This grant award will help ensure that Cherry Hill and its residents continue to be protected at the highest level by the great men and women of the Cherry Hill Fire Department."

SAFER grants, part of a $380 million grant program from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, are awarded depending on a department's financial and staffing needs, and go toward rehiring laid-off firefighters and retaining those whose jobs are in jeopardy due to budget constraints.