Menendez, Lautenberg Announce Federal Funding for New Ladder Truck in Bayonne and Operations at Fire Departments Across New Jersey

Washington - U.S. Senators Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today announced the Bayonne Fire Department will receive $720,000 to purchase a new ladder truck, and five more departments across the state will receive funding for operations and safety programs through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program. AFG funding can be invested in vehicle acquisition, training, equipment, wellness programs, and other support for stations and facilities.

"This investment in our local fire departments will help guarantee our firefighters are fully equipped and prepared to keep our families and neighborhoods safe," said Menendez. "Our firefighters risk their safety everyday to protect our communities and the very least we can do for them is guarantee they have the best equipment and resources to do their job."

Senator Lautenberg is the Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security that funds the AFG program.

"This federal funding will help Bayonne firefighters purchase a new ladder truck to keep local families and neighborhoods safe and secure," said Lautenberg. "Our firefighters put their lives in danger every day and this direct federal investment in local New Jersey fire departments will help ensure they are equipped with the best resources to protect our communities."

The $911,337 from the AFG program will be distributed in New Jersey as follows:

• Bayonne - $720,000 to the Bayonne Fire Department for vehicle acquisition.
• Galloway - $97,138 to the Oceanville Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 for operations and safety expenses.
• Summit - $31,802 to the Summit Fire Department for operations and safety expenses.
• Absecon - $16,720 to the Absecon City Fire Department No. 1 for operations and safety expenses.
• Harmony Township - $24,302 to the Harmony Township Volunteer Fire Department for operations and safety expenses.
• Vineland - $21,375 to the Forest Grove Volunteer Fire Company for operations and safety expenses.

The AFG grants are awarded to fire departments and EMS organizations 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/

###