After working for the Cumberland County Office of Emergency Management for 2 years, our office was approached by local Fire Chief Clifford Higbee of the Fortescue Fire/Rescue and Dive Team. Chief Higbee came to our office with a brochure from the USDA Rural Development program. His team wanted a grant to purchase a sonic fire and rescue jet. Emergency Management, seeing a need for this craft in the county, arranged a meeting with Victoria Fekete, Community and Business Programs Specialist from USDA Rural Development. She explained the programs and the options available to the fire department. The company was eligible for a grant for up to 55 percent of the project cost. They would have to seek other funding or a loan for the balance of the project.

I started on the project at the end of October 1998. I started gathering information for the grant package and writing letters to local businesses in the area for donations. This was the first grant project or fundraising I had worked on. I was surprised with the outstanding support I received from USDA and businesses in the area. In March 1999, the Fortescue Fire/Rescue and Dive Team received approval for a Community Facilities grant in the amount of $36,400 and donations totaling $26,250. USDA has helped to add a valuable resource to Cumberland County, as well as to all of New Jersey.

In September 1999, the Fortescue Fire/Rescue and Dive Team responded to Bound Brook, Somerset County, after Hurricane Floyd. The department traveled 126 miles and used the new craft to put out fires, evacuate residents and pets, and patrol the area. The fire departments in the area were amazed with the capability of this craft. Without the

support from USDA, this resource would not have been available during this time of need. I have been approached by several volunteer departments about funding for equipment. I do not hesitate to offer my assistance, because USDA is a valuable resource for these departments. I hope the funding continues to increase and that I will have the opportunity to work with the excellent staff at USDA. Thank you for all your help and for supporting the volunteer departments throughout the State.