TRENTON, NJ—Governor Phil Murphy announced a $20 million allocation in American Rescue Plan Firefighter Grants for fire departments throughout New Jersey. This funding aims to support the acquisition of essential protective, cleaning, and sanitization equipment for firefighters. The grants were distributed by the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to 353 fire departments following a competitive application process.
Ocean County departments will receive roughly $1,000,000 in funding total.
This marks the second instance of the Murphy Administration distributing American Rescue Plan (ARP) Firefighter Grants, with the first round in November 2022 allocating $10 million to 293 departments. Governor Murphy expressed his satisfaction with doubling the budget allocation for these grants, emphasizing the critical role firefighters play in community safety. He highlighted the program’s success in alleviating local governments’ financial burdens in equipping firefighters.
DCA Acting Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suárez underscored the significance of these grants in enabling fire departments to afford necessary equipment, thereby enhancing community and firefighter safety. The funding is part of a longstanding effort by New Jersey legislators to support fire safety and department needs through various initiatives.
Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr., co-chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, lauded the allocation of ARP funds, which he had advocated for in President Biden’s American Rescue Plan. Pascrell praised Governor Murphy’s commitment to public safety and promised ongoing support for first responders in Congress.
The grant funding will cover costs associated with protective clothing, cleaning equipment, breathing apparatuses, personal protective equipment (PPE), and other necessary fire or virus protection gear, as determined by the DCA’s Division of Local Government Services (DLGS). This initiative underscores New Jersey’s commitment to enhancing the safety and preparedness of its fire departments.