Gottheimer announces new federal investments, legislation to support North Jersey first responders

NEW MILFORD BOROUGH, NJ (Bergen County) — U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) Tuesday visited New Milford Volunteer Fire Company 1 to highlight millions in new investments in North Jersey first responders — police, firefighters, and emergency medical services personnel.

Gottheimer also celebrated the recent passing of legislation he led to reauthorize, the bipartisan Fire Grants and Safety Act, which reauthorizes key Assistant to Firefighter Grant Program and the Staffing For Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants.

Gottheimer has helped claw back more than $8 million AFG grants since 2017 and more than $4 million in SAFER grants since 2018 to North Jersey.

Gottheimer is intently focused on clawing back federal tax dollars from Washington to help strengthen North Jersey and lower taxes. Jersey has historically received about 75 cents for every dollar sent to Washington, placing a higher tax burden on municipalities and forcing them to either raise taxes or cut key projects. By clawing back federal investment, North Jersey can hire, train, equip, and support first responders without raising local taxes.

“I’m honored to announce new investments that we’ve clawed from Washington back to North Jersey to make sure all of our brave first responders have the equipment, training, and resources they need to protect themselves and our communities – and to announce new legislation that expands federal investments into public safety and gets the backs of our first responders,” Gottheimer said. “We must always have the backs of our first responders, just as you always have our backs. There’s nothing partisan about protecting our communities and equipping our first responders.”

New Federal Investments Announced By Congressman Gottheimer:

• $1 million to help Bergenfield acquire emergency communications equipment.
• $963,000 to help Paramus acquire emergency communications equipment.
• $160,000 to help the Woodcliff Lake Police Department acquire automated license plate reader cameras.
• $150,000 to help the Upper Saddle River Police Department acquire automated license plate reader cameras.
• $2.3 million through the American Rescue Plan Firefighter Grants Program to help firefighters in 42 municipalities get safety equipment including protective uniforms, oxygen tanks, and cleaning equipment.

Federal Public Safety Grant Programs and Investments for North Jersey:

• LESO 1033 Program, which helps local law enforcement acquire vehicles, aircraft, and other surplus equipment from the federal government. Congressman Gottheimer has clawed back nearly $20 million through LESO for North Jersey since entering office.
• General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Surplus Personal Property Donation Program, which allows surplus federal property, including vehicles, scientific equipment, and heavy machinery to be donated to state, county, and local organizations. Congressman Gottheimer has clawed back more than $2.6 million through the GSA Surplus program for North Jersey since entering office.
• Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG), which equip and train firefighters to better respond to emergencies. Congressman Gottheimer has clawed back more than $8 million through AFG for North Jersey since entering office.
• Staffing For Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grants (SAFER), which ensures that fire departments can hire and retain a 24-hour firefighting force. Congressman Gottheimer has clawed back more than $4 million through SAFER for North Jersey since 2018.
• The Community Oriented Policing Services Program (COPS), which supports police departments in hiring officers and training them in community policing strategies. Congressman Gottheimer clawed back more than $3.8 million through COPS for North Jersey since entering office.
• American Rescue Plan Firefighter Grants (ARPFFG), which helps local fire departments cover the cost of protective clothing and critical equipment. Congressman Gottheimer clawed back more than $3.4 million through ARPFFG for North Jersey since the COVID-19 pandemic.

During Tuesday’s event, Gottheimer highlighted his bipartisan Invest to Protect Act, which passed the House with an overwhelming majority in the last Congress. Gottheimer also discussed his work leading the Social Security Fairness Act, which would help three million Americans — including police and firefighters — access both their pensions and social security benefits after devoting their careers to public service.

Gottheimer was joined by New Milford Mayor Michael Putrino, New Milford Council President Hedy Grant, New Milford Councilwomen Randi Duffy and Lisa Sandhusen, Woodcliff Lake Councilwoman Jennifer Margolis, Woodcliff Lake Councilman Benjamin Pollack, Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey President Matt Caliente, FMBA Northern District Vice President Ed McKeown, NJ State Policemen’s Benevolent Association Bergen County Conference Chairman Vincent Rizzo and Bergen County Conference Treasurer Frank Warther, Upper Saddle River Police Department Chief Patrick Rotella, Wood Cliff Lake Police Department Chief Stephen Regula, New Milford Fire Department Chief Gerard Smithson, and Teaneck EMS President Danny Senter.