Washington - U.S. Sens. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Frank R. Lautenberg today announced that the Burlington Township Fire Department will receive $96,000 in federal funding through the Department of Homeland Security's Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program. The SAFER program was created to provide funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter organizations in order to help them increase the number of trained firefighters available in their communities.

"This federal funding will help staff the Burlington Township Fire Department with firefighters to protect the safety and security of our families," said Lautenberg, Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, which funds the SAFER program. "With firefighters ready to roll at the sound of the alarm, we must be certain that our departments are sufficiently staffed to confront the challenges in our communities."

"Communities need to be able to count on their firefighters to stay on their jobs and this federal investment will ensure that they remain ready to respond to keep Burlington Township's families out of harm's way," said Menendez. "Emergencies, fire, and security hazards come without notice and first responders depend on this equipment, training, and protective gear to keep them safe."

Lautenberg, who was recently named Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, passed a bill through the Appropriations Committee in July that would provides $420 million in funding nationwide for the SAFER grant program to continue in the upcoming fiscal year.

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

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