Kean highlights over $1.1M in new FEMA, SAFER and AFG grants for local fire departments
NEW JERSEY – Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) Tuesday announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded over $1.1 million dollars for local fire departments in New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Program.
In February of this year, Congressman Kean hosted a FEMA AFG Webinar also wrote letters of support for fire departments to receive a FEMA grant in the 7th Congressional District that requested assistance. Congressman Kean’s Fire Grants and Safety Act was signed into law in July which provided the necessary federal resources through the AFG and SAFER programs.
“Every day, firefighters put their lives on the line to protect our communities,” Kean said. “It is essential that we provide our first responders with the resources they need, and I am grateful to see this funding coming back to the district. Investing in our local fire departments means we are investing in the safety and well-being of our families and neighbors.”
“Our agency is incredibly grateful to be chosen for a 2024 Assistance to Firefighters Grant to purchase new portable radios,” said Matthew Hoffman, Chief of Readington Volunteer Fire Company. “Radio communications are a vital part of our everyday operations and safety of our firefighters as they operate on incidents. These funds will help to take the financial burden off our agency and township in the upgrade process. We appreciate the letter of support from Congressman Kean and his office that was submitted with the application.”
“Quakertown Fire Company is thrilled to be receiving a $577,000 FEMA SAFER grant for recruitment and retention,” said Bradley Patkochis, Chief of Quakertown Fire Company. “The importance of AFG and SAFER cannot be understated, particularly the ability for local fire companies to complete critical projects without putting it on the backs of New Jersey taxpayers. Thank you to Congressman Kean for supporting FEMA AFG and SAFER programs through the Fire Grants and Safety Act.”
$1,171,231 in total going back to New Jersey’s local fire departments, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) and Assistance to Firefighter Grants (AFG) were distributed as follows:
- $60,909 for City of Linden
- $44,788 for Tri-County Fire Co No 1 of Stephensburg (Mansfield Township)
- $53,705 for Alpha Volunteer Fire Co (Phillipsburg)
- $189,735 for Readington Volunteer Fire Company
- $244,761 for Chester Township
- $577,333 for Quakertown Fire Company (Franklin, Hunterdon Co.)
Congressman Kean’s Fire Grants and Safety Act authorizes up to $750 million in funding from fiscal years 2024 through 2028, extending the sunset date of these programs to September 30, 2030. Additionally, it increases funding levels for the U.S. Fire Administration to $95 million in order to support initiatives such as the National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS).
