Today, U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09), co-chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, and U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) announced the awarding of $675,058 in federal aid to the fire departments of Englewood and Lyndhurst. With the $607,658 allocated for Englewood, the city will use these funds for the addition and training of new firefighters. Similarly, the Lyndhurst Fire Department will implement its $67,400 to recruit and retain firefighters for years to come. Through letters and support, Rep. Pascrell helped secure these critical grants through the Department of Homeland Security's Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Program.

“When we first wrote the SAFER Act, our priority was to provide support for our firefighters as many communities continue to face increasingly challenging budget cuts. That priority remains paramount today. With these federal awards, our dedicated firefighters in Englewood and Lyndhurst will be able to bolster their already stellar teams and continue to effectively protect our communities,” said Rep. Pascrell. “It is not lost on me that the day we announce this federal award is eighteen years after hundreds of brave first responders perished in the September 11th attacks. Today, of all days, we remain grateful for the service and sacrifices made by our firefighters, police, and emergency personnel. This federal aid is a necessary and life-saving token of that gratitude.”

“Investing in our firefighters is an investment in our own safety and the safety of our families,” said Sen. Menendez.  “This federal funding will help provide the necessary staffing so our local fire departments are fully prepared to respond to the next emergency, whether that be a house fire, natural disaster, or man-made disaster.”

“I am proud of my Congressman who understands the challenges we face,” said Englewood Mayor Michael Wildes. “Our fire officials need more hands on deck. Bill continues to deliver to our residents like no other Member of Congress.”

“We are extremely grateful for the help Congressman Pascrell provided in getting this grant for our department,” said Lyndhurst Mayor Robert Giangeruso. “The money will be utilized for the recruitment of new volunteer firefighters, as well as training programs, administrative costs, and equipment for new members. Again, I want to thank Congressman Pascrell for his work on this.”

I was very pleased to receive the call today from Congressman Pascrell with the exciting news about having been awarded $607,000 to fund the hiring of Firefighters for the City of Englewood,” said Englewood Fire Chief Erik Enersen. “There is no doubt that Congressman Pascrell’s efforts have been of enormous benefit to the Englewood Fire Department and most importantly, the public we serve. Congressman Pascrell has proven that he is “One of Us” and I once again offer to him a sincere “Tip of The Helmet” for his unwavering support to the men and women of the Fire Service.”

“We are very grateful to receive this federal money through the SAFER grant. We look forward to adding new members to our department and are extremely thankful for the support” said Lyndhurst Fire Chief Michael Rodriguez.

Just days after reaffirming his support for Paterson’s firefighters after they dueled a tragic blaze, Rep. Pascrell announced that a $289,450 federal grant had been secured for the department. In 2018, Rep. Pascrell celebrated the signing into law of his Firefighter Cancer Registry Act (H.R. 931), which established a national cancer registry for firefighters diagnosed with the deadly disease. Rep. Pascrell and Sen. Menendez first announced introduction of the Firefighter Cancer Registry Act in May 2016 during a news conference at Clifton Fire Station 5, where they were joined by dozens of firefighters, including retired Haddon Heights Fire Chief Gene Dannenfelster, who since lost his battle with cancer. H.R.931 was introduced in the 115th Congress on February 17, 2017.

Rep. Pascrell was a main author in the House of Representatives of the SAFER Act, which became law in 2003, and the FIRE (Firefighter Investment Response Enhancement) Act which makes grants to local fire departments. Combined, they have provided billions of dollars in funding for fire departments across the country for staffing, equipment, and training needs.

Congress created these grant programs to help address the significant staffing, equipment, training, and health and safety needs of fire departments across the United States. The SAFER grant program provides funding to cover the costs associated with hiring personnel to maintain safe staffing levels. When Rep. Pascrell first introduced the FIRE Act in 1999, it was the first comprehensive legislation dedicated to meet the special needs of America's 32,000 volunteer, paid, and part-paid fire departments.