By: centraljersey.com
Franklin Fire Company No. 1 in Columbus was one of eight state fire departments to share in a $454,292 Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG).
The company received $11,875 for operations and safety, according to U.S. Sens. Robert Menendez, and Frank R. Lautenberg, both D-NJ.
The grants can be invested in training, equipment, personal protective equipment, health programs, and other support for first responder stations and facilities.
Sen. Lautenberg is the chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security that funds the AFG program.
"Our firefighters risk their safety to protect our communities," Sen. Menendez said. "These investments in our local fire departments will help keep our families and neighborhoods safe by keeping our firefighters fully prepared – they deserve at least as much."
"Firefighters put their lives in danger every day to keep our families and communities safe," Sen. Lautenberg said. "These grants will make a direct investment in local emergency personnel so that New Jersey first responders have the best equipment and training to do their job."
The AFG grants are awarded to fire departments and EMS organizations to improve their capacity to protect the health and safety of the public, as well as that of first-responder personnel in fire related emergencies.