Today, U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09), co-chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, announced that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has awarded $100,235.26 to the Clifton Fire Department. Funding for the award was provided by the CARES Act Assistance to Firefighters – COVID-19 Supplemental (AFG-S) grant program, which Rep. Pascrell advocated for as the legislation was crafted. Clifton FD will use today’s grant to purchase life-saving personal protective equipment, such as masks, shields, and gloves, to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

"Clifton’s Bravest are playing a pivotal role in our state’s recovery efforts and they must have every bit of federal support. Today’s award will help them continue their lifesaving work both during and after this pandemic,” said Rep. Pascrell, a longtime champion of robust federal support for America’s fire services. “I voted for the CARES Act to provide needed support to our communities and the services we rely upon. That legislation included an additional $100 million in funding for the AFG program, through which we’ve secured hundreds of thousands in federal support for North Jersey’s first responders. The House has since passed the HEROES Act to provide even more help for frontline heroes and to protect them on the job. I know Clifton’s firefighters are working every day to keep us safe and I will continue to fight for every federal dollar they need to weather this crisis. And I will not stop pushing the Senate to pass our HEROES Act with the urgency this moment demands.”

“We appreciate the work of Congressman Pascrell in helping Clifton get through this difficult time,” said Clifton Mayor James Anzaldi. “This additional grant will give us more resources to combat COVID-19 and will help our first responders continue their important work.”

Through his FIRE Act, Rep. Pascrell helps procure hundreds of thousands in federal support for New Jersey firefighters each year. The CARES Act provided $100 million in funding for the AFG program to help fire departments purchase personal protective equipment and supplies. The HEROES Act, which was passed by the House in May, has been held up in the Senate for 103 days.

In the last few weeks alone, Rep. Pascrell has announced more than $200K in federal grants for North Jersey fire departments. He has worked since the outset of the pandemic to secure millions in emergency federal funding to aid New Jersey in its fight against the virus. He also helped pass the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act to provide more immediate relief to every state and local government across the United States and needed relief for vital workers like first responders, health workers, and teachers keeping us safe during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.