Washington - U.S. Sens. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today announced that six New Jersey fire departments will receive $880,905 in federal funding through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program. AFG funding can be invested in vehicle acquisition, training, equipment, personal protective equipment, wellness programs, and other support for stations and facilities.

"Our firefighters and other first responders place their lives in danger every day to protect us and keep our families and communities safe," Sen. Lautenberg said. "This grant program makes a direct investment in New Jersey's local firefighters so that they have the best equipment and training to do their job."

"There is nothing more important than the safety of our neighborhoods and our families," said Sen. Menendez. "It is vital that our firefighters and emergency medical services providers have the necessary resources to do their job as effectively as possible in the event of a an emergency. It is our responsibility to ensure these brave men and women have the resources they need to best protect our families."

The $880,905 from the Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program (AFG) was distributed in New Jersey as follows:
• Cliffside Park Volunteer Fire Department - $675,000 for acquisition of a vehicle
• Byram Township Fire Department - $89,775 for operations and safety expenses
• Hillside Fire Department - $24,300 for operations and safety expenses
• East Windsor Volunteer Fire Company - $50,160 for operations and safety expenses
• Stratford Volunteer Fire Department - $22,432 for operations and safety expenses
• Independence Fire Company - $19,238 for operations and safety expenses

The AFG grants are awarded to fire departments and EMS organizations unaffiliated with a hospital to improve their capacity to protect the health and safety of the public, as well as that of first-responder personnel in fire related emergencies.

For more information about the program, please visit: http://www.firegrantsupport.com/

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