Secaucus Fire Dept. Gets New $10K Federal Grant

SECAUCUS, NJ — In addition to the new Secaucus fire boat secured by our local congressman this past summer, Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ 9), announced last week he also obtained a $10,186 federal grant for the Secaucus fire department.

The money will be used by the Secaucus fire department to purchase updated gas monitoring equipment. Secaucus FD will purchase new gas monitors that will replace nine older units. These devices are used for calls when there is a potential gas leak.

These new monitors can measure Lower Explosive Limit (LEL), oxygen, carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide. The monitors will help firefighters quickly assess a problem, locate the source of the gas leak, shut down and vent the building and remove the hazard and verify that the building is clear of the hazard.

“Situated in a primary transportation hub and only minutes from Manhattan, Secaucus' firefighters must have top-notch equipment and training as they continue to keep our communities safe,” said Rep. Pascrell in a statement provided to the media. "Technologies like gas monitoring apparatuses will save lives. I'm proud to work in Washington for the brave first responders in Secaucus and all throughout our great state."

Pascrell, a Democrat, has represented this area of New Jersey in Washington for decades, since 1997. Since redistricting in 2013, the ninth congressional district is an oddly shaped district and stretches from Paterson down through Bergen County towns such as Teterboro, Carlstadt and East Rutherford. It includes Passaic, as well. Secaucus and Kearny are the only Hudson County towns in the ninth district.

Other towns in Pascrell's district received much larger grants than Secaucus: The congressman secured a $67,400 grant for the Lyndhurst Fire Department and a $272,380 grant for the Leonia Fire Department. Last month, Rep. Pascrell also worked to secure a $289,450 federal grant for the Paterson Fire Department.

Secaucus Mayor Mike Gonnelli said he was thankful, anyway.

“This grant money is extremely important to our firefighters,” said Gonnelli. “I want to thank Congressman Pascrell for fighting on behalf of firefighters in Washington.”

Secaucus' new fire boat, Marine 1, is docked on the Hackensack River at the U.S. Coast Guard Auxilliary station at 5 Meadowlands Parkway. It was just unveiled this past August and is pictured above.

Related: Secaucus Fire Dept. Gets New Boat For Hackensack River