photo courtesy of Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Paramus NJ, Governor Phil Murphy visited Paramus Fire Company 3 to highlight his proposed addition of $10 million in American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding for Fiscal Year 2024 to support the continuation of the Firefighter Grant Program, which first launched in May 2022. The ARP Firefighter Grant Program provides funding to local and regional fire departments across New Jersey to ensure firefighters have proper protective, cleaning, and sanitization equipment.
“The firefighters of our state provide an essential service and they deserve to do so with the best equipment the market has to offer. That is why I was pleased to announce an additional $10 million dollars towards the American Rescue Plan Firefighter Grant Program in my proposed budget,” said Governor Murphy. “Our first responders risk their lives daily to make sure our communities are safe and healthy, and this Administration will continue to prioritize their needs to keep them safe while they do their jobs.”
During last year’s round of funding, the Department of Community Affairs’ (DCA) Division of Local Government Services (DLGS) awarded a total of 293 fire departments up to $56,000 to cover the costs of much needed equipment, including:
- protective clothing (turnout clothing ensembles, pants, garments, helmets, hoods, gloves, footwear, etc.);
- cleaning and advanced cleaning equipment;
- oxygen equipment;
- personal protective equipment (PPE); and
- other fire/virus protection equipment as determined to be appropriate by DLGS.
Grant awards were prioritized towards volunteer fire departments, like Paramus Fire Company 3, as well as departments in communities that have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.
If included in the final budget approved by the Legislature, the grant program would once again be administered by the Department of Community Affairs.
“As a two-time fire chief with over 47 years of experience in the fire service, I understand how critically important it is for first responders to have the resources and tools necessary to perform on a moment’s notice and at the highest level,” said Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco. “I applaud Governor Murphy and his administration’s commitment to the fire response community through new the American Rescue Plan Firefighter Grant Program, which will provide essential funding to our local and regional departments across New Jersey.”
“I thank Governor Murphy for visiting our station today to highlight his continued support of our state’s first responders,” said Vincent Torre, Assistant Chief and Volunteer Firefighter.
“As we gather here today to support this much needed grant, our very own legislative chairman Bobby Allen Paterson FMBA local 2 is undergoing a 10 hour surgery as he continues his battle against Cancer. This disease is a real concern for Firefighters across our Country and on behalf of our over 6000 members I say thank you to our Governor for standing shoulder to shoulder with us as battle against cancer,” said Edwin Donnelly, President NJ FMBA.
“The Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey are honored to stand with the governor to announce the reauthorization of the 10 million dollar Firefighter grant. PFANJ firefighters across this state run into harms way everyday, this funding allows departments to purchase the equipment we need to effectively do our jobs,” said Steve McConlogue. President Professional Firefighters Association of
New Jersey, IAFF, AFL-CIO.
“The NJ State Firefighters Association applauds Governor Murphy for his continued commitment to the health and safety of our volunteer and career firefighters through his Adminstration’s Amercian Rescue Plan Firefighter Grant Program,” said NJ State Firefighter’s Association President Robert Ordway. “As first responders, our 54,000 members are committed to protecting New Jersey’s residents and property when called upon. We stand proudly with the Governor and his team as he protects the health and safety of our firefighters through his proposed investment of an additonal $10 million to ensure fire departments are able to procure essential protective and sanitization equipment.”
Ridgewood Emergency Services????
How is it that a town as large as Paramus with its multiple malls and a large thriving business community along with many private residences can function perfectly fine with a volunteer fire department and Ridgewood at a third of the size shells out millions a year for an over paid/ pensioned department?
apparently you couldn’t pass the test
i am a long time resident and the response time of a paid fd is key
the tax portion for the FD is MINISCULE vs the bloated school budget
we can’t even staff an ambulalance with volunteers, how would you expect to staff a fd
paramus has a much different demographic – lots of blue collar types driving pickup trucks, backed into their driveways
ridgewood has mostly nyc finance types
The fire department pushed out the volunteer, it’s a threat to their jobs, the union wouldn’t allow it anymore
Political, the big elephant in the room.
yes get rid of the Village engineer (worthless) and health department county can do if for practically nothing) , if you want to save money ,Ridgewood Fire Department is excellent !