Menendez, Booker Announce Over $2M to Support NJ Firefighters

JERSEY CITY, N.J. – U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker (both D-N.J.) today announced $2,319,578.21 in federal Assistance to Firefighter Grant (AFG) funding to improve safety and operations in local fire departments across New Jersey. The AFG program is administered by the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

“The best way to show our gratitude to the men and women who risk their lives is by providing them with the tools, resources, and support they need to do their jobs safely and efficiently,” said Sen. Menendez. “This funding is critical and will ensure our firefighters can continue to protect our communities across the state.”

“Every day, our firefighters and EMTs answer the call of duty despite the dangers in order to protect New Jersey residents and their communities,” said Sen. Booker. “We have an obligation to ensure that these brave individuals have the equipment and training they need to best serve us, which is why I am proud to announce this critical funding that will help enhance operations and safety for fire and EMS departments across our state.”

The following fire departments were awarded grants:

·         $727,272.73 Cliffside Park (Bergen)

·         $247,272.73 Union Twp. (Union)

·         $238,095.24 Rutherford (Bergen)

·         $213,077.27 Bayonne (Hudson)

·         $173,333.33 Peapack and Gladstone (Somerset)

·         $163,844.76 Salem (Salem)

·         $139,447.62 Old Tappan (Bergen)

·         $116,363.64 Irvington (Essex)

·         $70,909.09    Ewing (Mercer)

·         $66,666.67    Monmouth Beach (Monmouth)

·         $58,012.27    Woodbine (Cape May)

·         $42,857.14    Salem (Salem)

·         $31,854.29    Oradell (Bergen)

·         $30,571.43    Bordentown (Burlington)

Earlier this month, the senators announced nearly $1 million in AFG funding to support firefighters across the state.

The AFG program provides direct financial assistance to eligible local professional and voluntary fire departments, emergency medical services organizations, and state fire training academies to equip and train first responders. Since it was established in 2001, New Jersey has received over $180 million in funding from the AFG program to enhance response capabilities, as well as to more effectively protect the health and safety of the public and emergency response personnel.