Above: Gottheimer hears from Fire Chief John Rubino (left) and Allendale Mayor Ari Bernstein (right) about how investment from the Assistance to Firefighter Grant (AFG) will help the Borough’s first responders.

ALLENDALE, NJ – On Sunday, November 17, 2019. U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer visited the Allendale Fire Department and first responders after helping claw back an $183,000 investment away from the Moocher States for emergency safety equipment. Allendale will be receiving 27 self-contained breathing apparatus through the Assistance to Firefighter Grant (AFG) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This is Allendale’s first AFG grant and the largest investment in the Fifth District this year.

Since Gottheimer has been in office, the Fifth District has received more than $2 million in investment from AFG and has seen an overall 880% increase in federal investment for firefighters and emergency medical services.

“The Assistance to Firefighters Grant is a great opportunity to claw back more of the federal tax dollars that we send to Washington back to Jersey, so our first responders have the tools they need. I want to thank Mayor Bernstein, Fire Chief Rubino, the Allendale Fire Department, and the Allendale Council for all they do for our community,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “Historically, our state has received pennies back on the dollars we send to Washington, compared to Moocher States like Mississippi. We’ve made great progress in solving that problem. Since 2016, we are already up 57 percent and I’ve made it a top priority to improve the return on investment.  We must help communities like Allendale get the equipment and resources they need to keep them and us safe during fire emergencies — and cut their local property taxes.”

Joining Gottheimer today were Allendale Mayor Ari Bernstein, Councilman Matthew O’Toole, Councilman Steve Sasso, Fire Chief John Rubino, Assistant Chief Michael Dillon, Captain Thomas Smith, and Tyler Yaccarino of the Municipal Community Emergency Response Team Committee.

The Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) helps firehouses and emergency medical services purchase or upgrade their equipment, vehicles, workplace trainings, or other fire prevention activities. The SCBAs that Allendale will be receiving are devices worn by firefighters and rescue workers to provide breathable air in dangerous smoke and fire-filled conditions.

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 and his team have 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.

Below: Gottheimer stands with the Allendale Fire Department.

Below: “Historically, our state has received pennies back on the dollars we send to Washington, compared to Moocher States like Mississippi. We’ve made great progress in solving that problem,” Gottheimer said.

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