BAYONNE — U.S. Senators Frank R. Lautenberg and Robert Menendez announced on Thursday that the Fire Department in Bayonne is among three departments statewide to receive federal grants for hiring and retaining firefighters. The funding, through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response (SAFER) and Assistance to Firefighter Grant (AFG) programs, allows departments to avoid layoffs, hire new firefighters and improve safety.
The Bayonne Fire Department will get $2,730,780.
“These major federal grants will help ensure that Paterson, Bayonne, and Atlantic City have the firefighters and support they need to keep their communities safe,” said Lautenberg, the vice chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee that funds the SAFER program. “Firefighters risk their lives to protect our families, and we are committed to providing local first responders with the federal resources they need.”
“Keeping communities safe during emergencies begins with keeping dedicated firefighters on the job,” said Senator Menendez. “This funding will help three of New Jersey’s cities get the firefighters they need to protect residents and property.”