Washington - U.S. Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) today announced six fire departments and a safety squad in New Jersey have received more than $2 million in federal funding through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program. Eligible uses of this grant funding include investments in training, equipment, vehicle acquisition, and health programs.
"Our firefighters need to have the resources they need to protect themselves and our families in case of a fire emergency,"said Senator Menendez."These funds will allow local fire departments to purchase the most modern safety equipment available and boost their capacity to respond in case of a fire. This is the very least we can do for the safety of our first responders, our families, and our communities."
"With first responders ready to roll at the sound of the alarm, we must be certain thatthey are sufficiently trained and equipped to handle emergencies safely andeffectively,"said Senator Lautenberg, Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, which funds the AFG program."First responders put their lives on the line to keep us safe and they deserve our support. While states and municipalities are making tough budgetdecisions,this direct federal investment in local emergency response is especially important to the safety of our communities."
Federal grants have been awarded to the following organizations:
Jersey City Department of Fire & Emergency Services- $929,088 for operations and safety
City of Wildwood Fire Department- $351,554 for operations and safety
Ridgewood Fire Department- $315,000 for vehicle acquisition
Nutley Fire Department- $265,950 for vehicle acquisition
Laureldale Volunteer Fire Rescue Companyin Mays Landing- $179,550 for vehicle acquisition
Irvington Fire Department- $47,200 for operations and safety
Atlantic Highlands First Aid and Safety Squad- $13,381 for operations and safety
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