Gottheimer boosts North Jersey’s return on investment

Six towns will get new safety equipment for first responders through FEMA

GLEN ROCK, NJ – Four fire departments in the Fifth District – Teaneck, Allendale, New Milford, and Wantage – received Assistance to Firefighter Grants (AFG) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), totaling more than $330,000, for vital safety and service equipment. Two fire departments in the Fifth District – Port Murray and Park Ridge – received Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response Grants (SAFER) from FEMA, for boosting and maintaining the number of firefighters protecting our communities.

This was Allendale’s first AFG grant, receiving $183,603 worth of equipment. Teaneck received $45,409 worth of equipment; New Milford received $41,586 worth of equipment; and Wantage received $68,095 worth of equipment.

Both Park Ridge received $10,200 and Port Murray, in Mansfield, received $1,300 for department recruitment and retention materials through SAFER. 

These grants provide fire safety and department equipment like self-contained breathing apparatus (SBCA) masks, saws, office computers, breathing mask air compressors, and other gear.

“North Jersey’s firefighters have our backs every day – running into fires and saving lives – it is our duty to have their backs by getting them the equipment and recruitment support they need to stay safe and keep us safe,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “I’ve consistently made it a top priority to claw back more dollars from the Moocher States to New Jersey. We’re up 57 percent over recent years, helping communities like Allendale, Port Murray, Teaneck, New Milford, Park Ridge, and Wantage lower taxes and get the equipment and resources they need to keep us safe from everything from lone-wolf terrorism to fire emergencies.”

In May, Gottheimer joined local elected officials and first responders to announce that the Fifth District had clawed back $392 per household from Washington and Moocher States – a 57% increase since 2016 – to support local schools, boost storm preparedness and response, and fight crime and terror.

The AFG award helps firehouses across the United State to upgrade or purchase new equipment, vehicles, workplace trainings, and other fire prevention activities.

The SAFER Grant helps firehouses increase or maintain the number of trained, frontline firefighters available in their communities.

As a member of the bipartisan Fire Services Caucus, Gottheimer has been laser-focused on encouraging North Jersey towns to apply for grant programs to return federal tax dollars to North Jersey, including through the AFG and SAFER grant programs.

Gottheimer’s Return on Investment team has visited all 79 towns in the Fifth District to raise awareness of the availability of federal grant dollars, convened 10 Mayor Summits to train local leaders on how to apply for grants, hosted 12 grant workshops, and sent more than 1,500 letters and scores of emails to local leaders.

Local officials and first responders interested in applying for federal grants can learn more on Gottheimer’s website and are encouraged to contact the office at 201-389-1100.

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