New federal dollars clawed back to support Teaneck firefighters, EMS

Helping to lower our property taxes, make life more affordable and safer

NORTH JERSEY — Today, U.S. Congressmen Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) and Bill Pascrell, Jr. (NJ-9) announced that a new federal investment of $661,595 is being clawed back to the Teaneck Fire Department and the Teaneck Volunteer Ambulance Corps through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program.

Administered by the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), this federal award is part of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program, which provides direct financial investment to first responders to equip and train emergency personnel for the demanding and ever-evolving nature of their work.

“This federal investment from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant is a great opportunity to help lower our property taxes, to make life more affordable and safer, and to improve our community. North Jersey’s firefighters and EMTs have our backs every day, running into fires and emergencies and saving lives. By clawing more of the federal tax dollars that we send to Washington back to Jersey, we’re ensuring that our first responders have the tools they need to stay safe and keep our communities safe,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), a member of the bipartisan Congressional Fire Services Caucus. “Historically, our state has received pennies back on the dollars we send to Washington, compared to Moocher States like Mississippi and Alabama. But by actively applying for more federal grants, we’ve made great progress in solving that problem. Now, working with Congressman Bill Pascrell and our local leaders, these vital resources will help lower the property tax burden on our residents, support the Teaneck community, and keep our first responders safe.”

“Our nation’s first responders are putting their lives on the line like never before. This federal investment in North Jersey’s safety will help our first responders continue their vital work of keeping our communities safe,” said Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. (NJ-9). “Working with my colleague Josh Gottheimer and President Biden, I am more confident than ever that these grants will continue to flow into our cities and towns here in the Garden State. I am proud that we were able to bring this federal money home for our community, and I will continue to fight for every cent that supports New Jersey’s first responders.”

Gottheimer recently announced that New Jersey’s Fifth District has clawed 357% more federal tax dollars back from Washington and the Moocher States since he took office — helping to lower our property taxes, make life more affordable and safer, and improve our communities. For 2021 alone, the federal tax dollars clawed back amount to an average savings of more than $750 for each household in the Fifth District.

Through Gottheimer’s work with mayors, councils, first responders, and nonprofits, the Fifth District has realized a far better Return on Investment on the tax dollars North Jersey residents send to Washington every year.

This has been made possible by successes across the Fifth District, particularly with the FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG), the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant, the LESO 1033 excess resources program, USDA Rural Development (RD) grants, Community Oriented Policing Services Program (COPS), and FEMA Non-Profit Security Grant program (NSGP).

​​Gottheimer and his Return on Investment team have visited all 79 towns in the Fifth District to raise awareness of the availability of federal grant dollars, written congressional letters of support, convened 15 Mayor Summits to train local leaders on how to apply for grants, hosted 15 grant workshops, sent thousands of letters and scores of emails to local leaders, and held more than 600 meetings with local officials.

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

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