Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Bob Menendez
JERSEY CITY, N.J. – U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker (both D-N.J.) today announced a combined total of $2,036,693.34 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).
“These grants will allow our fire departments to operate more efficiently and ensure our firefighters are properly equipped to protect themselves and keep residents safe,” said Sen. Menendez. “We must do everything we can to ensure our first responders have the tools necessary to protect our communities on a daily basis.”
“New Jersey’s firefighters risk their lives to keep their communities safe,” said Sen. Booker. “This vital funding will ensure they have the tools and resources they need to protect themselves and their communities.”
The following departments have been awarded AFG funding:
- $428,980.95 – Seaside Heights
- $341,415.45 – Old Bridge
- $293,409.09 – Glen Rock
- $224,318.18 – Teaneck Volunteer Ambulance Corps
- $190,476.19 – Northvale
- $124,368.36 – North Bergen
- $89,144.50 – Gloucester
- $49,986.36 – Union Emergency Medical Unit
- $49,533.33 – Glendora Volunteer Fire Co
- $43,053.37 – North Plainfield
- $38,205.69 – East Greenwich
- $38,095.23 – Colonia Volunteer Chemical Hook & Ladder
- $37,834.28 – South Orange Rescue Squad Inc
- $33,022.85 – Ocean View Volunteer Fire Dept.
- $29,420.95 – Hardyston Township Volunteer Fire Dept.
- $18,857.14 – Green Creek Volunteer Co.
- $6,571.42 – Berlin Township
Last month, the senator’s announced $2 million and nearly $1 million in AFG funding to fire departments 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.
The FY 2021 AFG Program is one of three grant programs that constitute the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and FEMA’s focus on enhancing the safety of the public and firefighters with respect to fire and related hazards. Since FY 2001, the AFG Program has awarded approximately $7.7 billion in grants to provide critically needed resources that equip and train emergency personnel to recognized standards, enhance operational efficiencies, foster interoperability, and support community resilience.