NEWARK, NJ – U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker, and Congressman Donald Payne, Jr. today announced that the East Orange Fire Department has been awarded a federal Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant of $2,813,690 to hire new firefighters.

“Our first responders put their lives on the line each day, and we must make certain that they have the resources they need to save lives,” said Sen. Menendez. “This grant will help ensure the East Orange Fire Department is adequately staffed and our firefighters ready to answer the bell when emergencies strike.”

“The courageous men and women servHing in fire departments all across New Jersey deserve the resources they need to do their jobs safely and effectively,” said Sen. Booker. “This funding will enable the East Orange Fire Department to be adequately staffed as they bravely serve our communities.”

“Every day, firefighters take very real risks to keep us safe, and they deserve our best efforts to make sure that they can successfully perform their duties and protect themselves from harm,” said Congressman Payne, Jr. “This funding will ensure adequate staffing at the East Orange Fire Department, enhancing the safety and efficiency of the department as they continue to ensure the well-being of our community.”

The SAFER program is administered by the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and seeks to increase the number of frontline firefighters, enhancing the ability of departments to attain and maintain 24-hour staffing and assuring that their communities have adequate protection from fire and fire-related hazards.

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