6 Fire Departments In Essex County Split $600K Federal Grant

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — A $600,000 federal grant will be split among six local fire departments in Essex County, helping them to get the training and equipment they need to do their jobs and return home safely.

On Tuesday, Rep. Mikie Sherrill of the 11th District joined several firefighters at Fire Station No. 3 in Bloomfield to announce the grants, which will boost agencies in Belleville, Bloomfield, East Orange, Nutley, Orange and West Orange.

The grants include a regional award for the training of 100 fire officers to obtain “fire officer 1 certification.” Another 100 first responders will receive rapid intervention training, which aids in the rescue and removal of a trapped or downed firefighter.

The Bloomfield Fire Department received an additional grant to implement a “wellness and fitness program” and purchase equipment for cleaning toxic substances from their protective gear.

“Our department will greatly benefit from these AFG awards,” Bloomfield Fire Chief Louis Venezia said. “The health and safety of our firefighters is a top priority.”

The regional FEMA Assistance to Firefighter (AFG) grant was the second largest AFG grant awarded in the state of New Jersey this year, Sherrill noted.

“Our firefighters, EMTs and other first responders have been on the front lines of the pandemic, responding to emergencies, and have taken on considerable risk to their own lives to help others,” Sherrill said. “We owe it to these brave men and women to give them the best possible training and equipment they need to do their jobs and return home safely.”

The congresswoman added that she hopes to see even more towns apply for the AFG program.

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