Press Releases
Pascrell's Federal FIRE Grant Program Again Delivers for North Haledon
Washington, DC,
December 8, 2005
Tags:
Public Safety
NORTH HALEDON FD RECEIVES $28,111 FOR NEW DIESEL EXHAUST EXTRACTION SYSTEMS BOROUGH HAS RECEIVED A TOTAL OF $54,799 IN FIRE GRANT FUNDING PATERSON - U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-08) today announced that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has awarded the Borough of North Haledon, a federal FIRE grant in the amount of $28,111. The grant will be used to purchase a new diesel exhaust extraction system for each of the Borough's two firehouses. This is the fourth year of existence for the FIRE grant program (aka the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program). This is the second FIRE grant awarded to North Haledon Fire Department. The first grant came in the amount of $26,638 in November of 2004. Fire departments across America have received grants under the program, which was directly created by Pascrell's Firefighter Investment Response Enhancement (FIRE) Act, signed into law by President Clinton in 2000. With broad bipartisan support, Pascrell's program has grown from $100 million in fiscal year 2001 to $715 million this year. "The firefighters in North Haledon are well deserving of these federal dollars. The FIRE Act was written right here in the Eighth District, specifically to help communities like North Haledon support their first responders. For too long, the federal government turned a deaf ear to the pressing needs of fire departments. This grant demonstrates that through the FIRE Act, we have changed that shortsighted policy," said Pascrell, the Ranking Democrat on the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness. "I want to thank Congressman Pascrell for always keeping North Haledon in his plans," stated Borough Mayor Randy George. "This grant will bring our fire fighters the equipment that is crucial to their health, and ability to protect our communities. On behalf of the council, fire department and residents of North Haledon, I would like to thank the Congressman for his work to make this grant possible." "Thanks to Congressman Pascrell creating the FIRE grant program, the Department can purchase the diesel exhaust extraction systems that we need," stated Fire Chief Brian Laube. "Thanks to the equipment we've purchased through the FIRE grant program, the Department is well-supplied to protect the people of North Haledon." The FIRE grant program is administered by the Office of Domestic Preparedness which is now under the jurisdiction of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Pascrell's "FIRE Act," introduced in March of 1999, is the first comprehensive national legislation dedicated to meet the special needs of America's 32,000 volunteer, paid and part-paid fire departments. This year FEMA received approximately 20,400 applications for the 2004 grant program. The application period closed in early April 2004 and the total request of all departments, including the non-federal share, totaled approximately $2.6 billion. As part of the application, applicants had to demonstrate financial need and articulate the benefits to be derived from the grant funds. Funding priorities for each of the activities were established utilizing recommendations from each of the nine major national fire service organizations. America's 32,000 paid, volunteer, and part-paid departments are all eligible for the grants under the program. For more current information regarding the FIRE Grant (Assistance to Firefighter Grant Program), visit www.usfa.fema.gov. ### |