Today, Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) announced a $60,000 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) to support the Lodi Volunteer Fire Department. The federal grant will provide 22 units of protective turnout gear — pants and jackets used to enter burning buildings — for Lodi firefighters from the Department of Homeland Security.

“The volunteer firefighters in Lodi represent the best of us: men and women who run toward danger for us and ask for nothing in return. Clawing our federal tax dollars to New Jersey is a critical part of keeping our first responders safe as they do the same for us,” Congressman Gottheimer said. “Our state gets pennies back on the dollars that we send to Washington, compared to Moocher States like Mississippi. That’s why I’ve made it a top priority to improve the return on investment we see from our federal tax dollars to help communities like Lodi get the equipment and resources they need to keep us safe from everything from lone wolf terrorism to fire emergencies.”

In March, Gottheimer joined local elected officials and first responders to announce that the Fifth District had clawed back $290 per household from Washington and Moocher States – 16% higher than in previous years – 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.

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 grant program. His first public district event after being sworn was to encourage fire departments to apply for the grant. He has also hosted several return on investment and mayors’ roundtables to provide guidance to local towns on the federal resources available to them and how best to secure these grants. Parties interested in applying for federal grants can learn more on Gottheimer’s website and are encouraged to contact the office at 201-389-1100.