Alpha Volunteer Fire Company receives more than $168K through Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker (both-D-N.J.) announced a combined total of $441,926.56 from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG) to support and improve the operations and safety of firefighters in 5 New Jersey cities across the state.
“Local fire departments strive tirelessly to protect their residents, keep them safe from harm, and instruct them on how best to keep themselves safe. One of the most fundamental services a government can provide is the safety of its people which is why I am proud to advocate for New Jersey fire departments to receive AFG grants at every opportunity,” Menendez said. “This funding will help these local fire departments support our brave firefighters so they can continue to do the lifesaving work they so selflessly perform.”
“Every day, our brave firefighters selflessly put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe,” Booker said. “These grants will enable fire departments to respond swiftly to emergencies and keep New Jerseyans safe.”
The following departments have received Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG) awards from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to support their operations and safety trainings as well as equipment for technical trainings for structural and wildland firefighting:
- $40,909.09: The City of Perth Amboy
- $22,380: Atlantic City
- $47,124.49: The City of Hoboken
- $162,727.27: West Deptford Township
- $168,785.71: Alpha (Volunteer Fire Co.)
In April, Sen. Menendez joined with Congressmen Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-N.J.-09) and Rob Menendez (D-N.J.-08), as well as local and national fire leaders at the North Hudson Regional Fire Rescue in West New York to discuss various congressional initiatives to support and protect fire professionals, including the Fire Grants and Safety Act (S.870 passed the Senate in April) that would reauthorize FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program, the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program, and the U.S. Fire Administration.
In September 2022, Sens. Menendez and Booker announced $2 million in federal Assistance to Firefighter Grant (AFG) funding to improve safety and operations in 17 different local fire departments across New Jersey. The AFG program was created in 2000 by the Firefighter Investment and Response Enhancement (FIRE) Act led by Rep. Pascrell.