file photo by Boyd Loving
JULY 2, 2015, 5:47 PM LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2015, 6:51 PM
BY CHRIS HARRIS
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
RIDGEWOOD — The village’s fire department is receiving nearly $38,000 in federal grant money to pay for wellness education and exercise equipment.
The $37,791 award for the Ridgewood Fire Department was announced Wednesday by U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker.
The two lawmakers secured a combined $397,202 in Assistance to Firefighter Grants for fire departments statewide. The grants are administered by the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency.
“It’s a good grant and I was glad to hear it had come through,” said Ridgewood’s Fire Chief James Van Goor, who was notified by a staffer from Menendez’s office early Wednesday.
“Our first responders risk their lives each day to save ours and we must do everything we can to ensure they have the tools they need to protect their residents and communities,” Menendez said. “These grants will allow our fire departments to operate more efficiently and ensure our firefighters are properly equipped to protect themselves and keep residents safe.”
Booker added: “By collaborating at the federal and local levels, we have been able to secure wins for our state’s firefighters amounting to millions of dollars in grants that have translated into more jobs and better protections for those that put their lives on the line to protect us.”