Senators Menendez & Booker Announce $1.4M to Support NJ Firefighters, First Responders

Over $100K in additional COVID-19 funding

NEWARK, N.J. – U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker announced on Friday a combined $1,431,304.39 to ensure New Jersey’s local fire departments and EMS squads are properly equipped and staffed to protect the communities they serve, and to purchase additional protective gear and supplies needed to combat COVID-19.

In Hudson County, the North Hudson Regional Fire & Rescue Department  will be receiving more than $35,200, while the Bayonne Fire Department is getting nearly $41,900.  “New Jersey’s first responders are on the frontlines of the COVID-19 fight.  They risk their lives each and every day to protect us and deserve all the support they can get,” said Sen. Menendez.  “This important funding will help ensure our firefighters and EMS squads have the equipment, personal protective gear and personnel they need to both protect themselves and the residents and communities they serve.”

“Our firefighters and first responders always step in for our communities when they are needed — even, and especially, during a pandemic.  New Jersey’s firefighters must have the resources they need to protect themselves and our communities,” said Sen. Booker.  “This funding will help New Jersey departments increase safety and operational efficiency, hire, recruit, and retain volunteer firefighters and strengthen the quality of our state’s emergency services.”

The CARES Act provides supplemental AFG funding to help local first responders purchase personal protective equipment (PPE) and related supplies to the fire service community to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.  The federal funding the Bayonne Fire Department and the NHRFR Department received came from the AFG-S grants.