Newark - U.S. Senators Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today announced that the Gloucester City Fire Department has received$598,038in federal fundingto hire new firefightersthrough the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER)program.
"With local governments facing a tough budget climate, this federal grant will help Gloucester City hire firefighters and improve emergency services for local families,"said Senator Lautenberg, Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, which funds the SAFER program."Keeping our communities safe and secure isa toppriority, and these funds will help ensure that Gloucester Cityhas more trained first responders ready to protect the community."
"Gloucester families can rest easy knowing that their local fire station has the necessary resources to properly train and hire new firefighters." said Senator Menendez, who sent a letter to FEMA in support of Gloucester City's application for this grant. "Safety is not a luxury, it's a basic need that can't wait for flush years. This funding will help ensure New Jersey's communities are safe, even in these tough economic times when everyone's budgets are tight."
As Vice Chairman of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, Senator Lautenberg has worked to provide sufficient funding for the SAFER program. The 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 program, visit:http://www.fema.gov/firegrants/safer/
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