Cedar Grove Fire Department Receives First Responder Grant

The Cedar Grove Fire Department was presented with a check for $5,000 from the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey as a showing of gratitude for the department's Sept. 11 response.

The check was given to Cedar Grove Police Chief John Bannon and Mayor Robert O'Toole at a small ceremony at Center Company No. 1 on Friday, April 29, which was attended by state and local officials including Acting Gov. Kim Guadagno, Sen. Kevin O'Toole, Assemblymen Scott Rumana and David Russo, and Port Authority Deputy Executive Director Bill Baroni.

From a podium in the firehouse, Guadagno praised firefighters as "unsung heroes" who "keep people safe, day-in and day-out."

"The job is not just about responding to disasters, it's being there when people need you. That's what today is all about." 

Firefighters from the 80-member all-volunteer Cedar Grove Fire Department, as well as the Cedar Grove Ambulance & Rescue Squad, rushed to staging areas along the Hudson River in the hours following the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, ready to be deployed at a moment's notice.

Chief Bannon said the money would be used to outfit Engine 71, which the department added to its fleet late last year, as well as the yet-to-be-purchased new engine the council approved this month, with rescue equipment, and a larger diameter hose.