New Jersey American Water has presented Upper Township with a $2,282.09 grant as part of its 2026 Volunteer Fire and EMS Grant Program.
The funding will directly support local emergency response capabilities, enabling the township to purchase four new Motorola Monitor 7 Voice Pagers—complete with extended warranties and programming—to help first responders receive critical notifications more efficiently.
The grant is part of a broader statewide initiative by New Jersey American Water, which awarded approximately $50,000 across 21 volunteer fire and emergency medical services departments throughout its service areas this year.
“Local first responders understand which tools and resources will have the greatest impact in the communities they serve,” Kim Schalek Downes, vice president of Business Development, Government and External Affairs, said. “Through this program, we’re proud to help departments make those important investments year after year.”
Grants distributed through the 2026 program fund a diverse array of lifesaving upgrades, including gas meters, gas leak detectors, thermal imaging cameras, and automated external defibrillators (AEDs).
Since launching the grant 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 across New Jersey.
Community members and organizations interested in learning more about the corporate citizenship initiative can visit the New Jersey American Water Community Programs portal.
