WASHINGTON, D.C. – After hosting a fire grant workshop for Second Congressional District fire and rescue departments last week, U.S. Rep. Frank A. LoBiondo (R-2nd) on Feb. 29 announced the open period for local fire and rescue departments to apply for federal funding under the Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program (AFGP).
The application period will run from March 3 thru April 4, with awards being announced later this year.
“Day in and day out, the men and women of our fire and rescue units are the first responders to emergency events in our communities. In addition to our deep gratitude, they deserve our support and available federal resources to assist them in their efforts to keep us safe,” stated LoBiondo in a release. “I strongly encourage the fire and rescue departments of South Jersey to take advantage of this critical funding source,” he added.
The AFGP awards one-year grants directly to fire. The competitive funding is used by the nation’s fire and rescue departments to increase the effectiveness of firefighting and emergency response operation and to improve personnel health and safety programs.
Since the program began in 2001, 109 of New Jersey’s 2nd Congressional District fire organizations have received more than $18.3 million under AFGP. Applications can be found at www.firegrantsupport.com.
