U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. (D- 9th), chairman of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, announced that the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security has awarded Assistance to Firefighter Grants to two area fire departments.
The Kearny Fire Department is receiving $242,710 to purchase self-contained breathing apparatus units for 34 firefighters and the North Arlington Volunteer Fire Department is getting $30,953 to acquire equipment to wash and maintain its personal protective equipment, Pascrell said.
The KFD was also awarded a Fire Prevention & Safety grant of $49,316 to help the department obtain new fire prevention software along with fire and arson investigative training, Pascrell said.
With the congressman’s support, the KFD was the recent beneficiary of a Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response (SAFER) grant for $1,595,844 to hire 12 firefighters to fill slots vacated through attrition.
“Our first responders put their lives on the line day in and day out protecting our communities, so it’s our responsibility to ensure they have the resources they need,” Pascrell said.
