Newark - U.S. Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) today announced eight New Jersey fire departments received $454,292 through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program. These grants can be invested in training, equipment, personal protective equipment, health programs, and other support for first responder stations and facilities.


"Our firefighters risk their safety to protect our communities," Menendez said. "These investments in our local fire departments will help keep our families and neighborhoods safe by keeping our firefighters fully prepared - they deserve at least as much."

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

"Firefighters put their lives in danger every day to keep our families and communities safe," Lautenberg said. "These grants will make a direct investment in local emergency personnel so that New Jersey first responders have the best equipment and training to do their job."

The $454,292 from the AFG program will be distributed in New Jersey as follows:

• Teaneck - $143,217 to the Township of Teaneck for operations and safety.
• Wenonah - $49,258 to the Wenonah Fire Company for operations and safety.
• Egg Harbor Township - $88,350 to the Bargaintown Volunteer Fire Co. No. 2 for operations and safety.
• Salem - $57,000 to the Salem Fire Department for operations and safety.
• Columbus - $11,875 to the Franklin Fire Co. No. 1 for operations and safety.
• South Amboy - $23,579 to the South Amboy Fire Department for operations and safety.
• Ocean - $34,523 to the Township of Ocean Fire District 2 for operations and safety.
• North Plainfield - $46,490 to the North Plainfield Fire Department for operations and safety.

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/

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