Trenton – Senate President Steve Sweeney today said that the Senate will not allow the diversion of $33 million from the firefighters’ fund to be included in the state budget, forcefully rejecting the Governor’s proposal to siphon money away from the programs that assist first responders with medical bills, burial expenses and other needs.

Senator Sweeney (D-Gloucester/Salem/Cumberland) reacted to the Governor’s plan to take money from the New Jersey State Firefighters Association and the 538 local relief groups that is supposed to be dedicated to financial assistance, retirement homes, burial benefits and in-home medical care for New Jersey’s firefighters.

“There is no reason and no excuse for denying firefighters support and assistance in their time of need,” said Senator Sweeney. “They put their lives at risk every day in service to others. Refusing or reducing emergency responders and their families the care they deserve in order to prop up the budget is unacceptable. I can guarantee that it will not be included in the budget that gets approved by the Senate.”

Established in 1885, the fund is available to active and retired career and volunteer firefighters and their families.

“Firefighters and first responders are increasingly being treated for PTSD and other work-related illnesses,” Senator Sweeney said. “This fund is used as a safety net for the men and women putting their lives on the line and who often suffer the consequences.”