WASHINGTON, D.C.-U.S. Senators Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today announced that fire departments in Newark, North Arlington, Green Creek, Bloomfield, Quinton, Haddonfield, and Auburn will receive federal grants totaling $890,039. The funding is awarded through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) and Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) programs.

"This federal funding will help ensure firefighters across New Jersey, from our largest cities to some of our smallest municipalities, are well equipped to protect the public," said Sen. Lautenberg, a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, which funds the AFG program. "From recruiting new firefighters to providing equipment and training, these grants are critical to local fire departments, and we'll continue working to secure federal support for New Jersey's first responders."

Sen. Lautenberg, who last week announced a $3.1 million grant with Senator Menendez and Congressman Donald Payne, Jr. for the Newark Fire Department to hire new firefighters, added, "Public safety is critical to Newark's success, and this federal grant will help Brick City firefighters provide a higher level of safety and security for local families, schools and businesses."

"Whether they serve small towns or big cities, our firefighters are ready to respond to any kind of emergency. We need to do everything we can to support them in their dedicated service," said Senator Menendez. "That's why I have been proud to support the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program, which gives all fire departments the chance to receive direct federal aid for the equipment and training they need to carry out their duties as safely and as efficiently as possible."

The funding for the six AFG grants will be distributed as follows:


North Arlington Fire Department will receive a $290,548 AFG grant for operations and safety.


Newark will receive a $266,800 AFG grant for operations and safety.


Green Creek Volunteer Fire Company will receive a $101,156 AFG grant for operations and safety.


Bloomfield Fire Department will receive a $65,250 AFG grant for operations and safety.


Quinton Fire Company will receive a $57,475 AFG grant for operations and safety.


Haddon Fire Company Number 1 in Haddonfield will receive a $38,803 AFG grant for operations and safety.


Auburn Volunteer Fire Company will receive a $30,407 AFG grant for operations and safety.

The funding for the one SAFER grant will be distributed as follows:


Auburn Volunteer Fire Company will receive a $39,600 SAFER grant for recruitment.

The AFG program provides funding to enhance response capabilities and to more effectively protect the health and safety of the public and emergency response personnel. These grants can be invested in training, protective equipment, fitness programs, modifications to facilities, and supplies that support firefighting operations and safety.

The highly competitive SAFER grant program provides funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter organizations in order to help them increase the number of trained "front line" firefighters in their communities.

For more information about the AFG program, please visit: http://www.fema.gov/firegrants.

For more information about the SAFER program, please visit: http://www.fema.gov/staffing-adequate-fire-emergency-response-grants.

###