Above: Gottheimer visits the Mansfield Township Fire Department today.

Today, Friday, January 3, 2019, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) visited the Mansfield Township Fire Department, which will be receiving investment from the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grants (SAFER) to help boost recruitment of volunteers from the community.

“The SAFER 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 Watters, Fire Department Captain Charlie Smith, Company No. 1 President Wester, the Mansfield Township Fire Department, and the Mansfield 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, but 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 keep improving the return on investment. We must help communities like Mansfield get the equipment and resources they need to keep them and us safe during fire emergencies — and cut their local property taxes.”

The SAFER Grant program provides investment directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter organizations to help increase or maintain the number of trained, “front line” firefighters available in their communities.

The Mansfield Township Fire Department will be receiving a $1,300 LED sign for advertising purposes to recruit volunteers.

Joining Gottheimer today were Mansfield Mayor Joseph Watters, Mansfield Fire Department Captain and Mansfield Township Office of Emergency Management Coordinator Charlie Smith, President of Mansfield Fire Department Company No. 1 Jason Wester, and Mansfield Councilman Ron Hayes.

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 Mansfield Mayor Joseph Watters, Mansfield Fire Department Captain and Mansfield Township Office of Emergency Management Coordinator Charlie Smith, President of Mansfield Fire Department Company No. 1 Jason Wester, and Mansfield Councilman Ron Hayes.

Below: Gottheimer discusses federal investment opportunities with the Mansfield Township Fire Department.

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