Tuesday, Congressman Steve Rothman (D – Fair Lawn), a member of the House Appropriations Committee, announced a federal grant totaling $240,825 to replace outdated equipment, including self-contained breathing apparatus’s (SCBA) for firefighters in the town of Secaucus. The grant, obtained through the Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program, will improve the town’s ability to safely respond to catastrophic incidents in local homes, businesses or transportation infrastructure in and around Secaucus.
“I was delighted to help direct these federal dollars to Secaucus,” said Rothman. “In these economically challenging times, it is important to continue to invest in keeping our communities safe. This equipment will increase the safety of first responders, reduce injuries and enable Secaucus to remain ready at all times. It also covers the cost of these essential items, thus saving local property tax payers this $240,000 expense.”
The SCBA will be used on a daily and constant basis. Secaucus has an average of 750 incidents attended to by the fire department per year. “Compliant and reliable SCBA are essential to the health and safety of these first responders. Having properly functioning and modern equipment will protect these firefighters as they carry out their duties,” said Rothman.
The Department of Homeland Security’s AFG program is designed to increase local fire departments’ preparedness and ability to respond to fires and fire related hazards. These grants aim to enhance first responders’ capacity to protect the health and safety of the public, as well as that of first responder personnel, with respect to fire-related hazards.