Also co-hosting a fire grant workshop next week for towns seeking funding

PATERSON, N.J. – U.S. Representative Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ), chairman of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, today announced that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has awarded a new Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG) award to the Elmwood Park Fire Department in the amount of $355,498 to purchase self-contained breathing apparatus.

"I want our first responders to have every possible resource available to them when they put their lives on the line protecting our community," said Rep. Pascrell. "This grant will help ensure the brave men and women in the Elmwood Park Fire Department will have every advantage to keep themselves and families in their community safe. I remain committed to fighting for the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program so we can continue to bolster public safety across our nation."

The grant is funded by the Firefighter Investment and Response Enhancement (FIRE) Act, which was crafted and shepherded to passage by Rep. Pascrell. In March, Rep. Pascrell wrote to DHS in strong support of Elmwood Park’s applications. Elmwood Park has received a total of $453,386 from four grants under the FIRE Act.

"As the founding father of the post-9/11 FIRE Act, Congressman Pascrell has shown to be a person who understands what first-responders across the country face. The Congressman has been a true friend, not only to first responders in New Jersey, but across the entire country," said Elmwood Park Fire Department Chief Michael Pressler. "The Elmwood Park Fire Department would like to thank Congressman Pascrell for the work and support he has shown for our town and district over the years."

The FIRE Act signed into law by President Clinton in 2000. Since the FIRE Act was initially authorized in FY2001 it has provided more than $6 billion in AFG grants to local fire departments to purchase equipment and hire firefighters. New Jersey fire departments have received over $154.9 million in funding.

The AFG program is administered by the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration. The program makes direct grants to fire departments to purchase equipment, training, firefighting vehicles, and other firefighting and fire prevention activities. It also funds Fire Prevention and Safety Grants which are used for fire awareness and prevention activities, as well as fire safety related research.

Rep. Pascrell is hosting an AFG Workshop, in conjunction with Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and conducted by FEMA representatives, next week. The workshop will take place at 6:00 pm on Thursday, September 1 at Felician University’s Education Commons Room 103, One Felician Way, Rutherford, NJ, 07070. FEMA’s fire program specialists will be conducting this workshop and Q&A session to address any questions or concerns from attendees.