Lance In Dover Announces $228k Federal Grants For Fire Department

MORRIS COUNTY, N.J. --- Congressman Leonard Lance (NJ-07) today announced that the Dover Fire Department is receiving part of over $400,000 in federal grants issued to central New Jersey municipalities through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Two awards totaling $228,693 in Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) have been issued to Dover and will be used for gear acquisition and the procurement of an ambulance. Lance visited the Fire Company on Thursday to relay the news.
“These grants come at just the right time. Calls are up and demand on the Fire Department is on the rise. Let’s put these funds to work and get the best gear, a new ambulance and repurpose aging equipment to be reliable in an emergency. I commend Mayor Dodd and Fire Chief Sperry on the transformation of this department. Dover residents are counting on this great crew every day of the week. I commend all firefighters and EMS on their public service and I hope for their safety in dangerous situations,” said Lance.
The first AFG, in the amount of $49,964.00, will be used to replace an aged vehicle exhaust system, to provide new turn out gear and to purchase a washing machine and dryer for decontamination purposes. The second AFG, in the amount of $178,729.00, will be used to purchase a new ambulance, which will replace an aging 2006 ambulance that has over 100,000 miles on it and is deployed on approximately 1800 unique calls for service on an annual basis.
According to Mayor James P. Dodd, “the Town of Dover is grateful for the consistent and unwavering support and friendship, year after year, from Congressman Leonard Lance. Dover is such an important part of the Congressional 7th District and Congressman Lance is never afraid to reach across the aisle whenever it benefits the residents of his Congressional District. The Dover Fire Department is honored to receive both of these Assistance to Firefighter’s Grant from the Department of Homeland Security, which is unprecedented.”
Fire Chief Robert Sperry added, “I am greatly excited for the all the benefits that the firemen in the department will get, as well as the people of the Town of Dover, who we serve on a daily basis. This is an amazing accomplishment for everyone who worked so hard to obtain these grants.”
As a member of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, the Seventh District lawmaker has voted to increase federal investments for both the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant programs. These programs were created by Congress to help address the significant staffing, equipment, training and health and safety needs of our Nation's First Responders.