LoBiondo Announces Nearly Half Million SAFER Grant to Wildwood Fire Department

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Congressman Frank A. LoBiondo (NJ-02) announced that the City of Wildwood Fire Department will receive $481,984 in federal funding from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to recruit, train and retain firefighters. The funding was awarded from DHS’ Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program. More than $44 million in SAFER funding has been awarded to fire departments in the 2^nd Congressional district since 2006.
“This is certainly welcome news for the City of Wildwood Fire Department. The grant awarded will allow the company to add additional fireman to help combat the ongoing threats they face every day,” said LoBiondo, a member of the Congressional Fire Caucus. “I will continue to be a strong advocate for the first responders in our communities, fighting to ensure they have the resources and support needed for which they deserve.”
“As always, the city of Wildwood has a friend in Frank LoBiondo. When Frank is in your corner, things happen,” said Wildwood Mayor Ernie Troiano Jr. “This is another example of Frank watching out for the residents and visitors to Wildwood and ensuring safety and security resources are available.”
Similar to the popular Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG) which grants federal funding in one-year grants directly to fire departments to support the nation’s firefighters, the SAFER program will award approximately $345 million in competitive grants to local fire departments specifically for the recruitment and retention of volunteer and professional firefighters.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) under the Department of Homeland Security administers both programs. For the last ten years, Congressman LoBiondo’s office has hosted local seminars for area fire departments to highlight the benefits of these grant programs. More information is available at www.fema.gov/firegrants.