NEWARK – Today, U.S. Senators Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) announced that Howell Fire District No. 1 will receive $450,000 in federal funding to hire firefighters through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program.

“New Jersey's first responders risk their lives to keep our communities safe, and this federal funding will help ensure that Howell Fire District No. 1 is adequately staffed and even better prepared for emergency situations,” said Senator Lautenberg, Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, which funds the SAFER program. “Protecting New Jersey communities is our first priority, and we will continue working to provide federal resources for local fire departments.”

“Staffing enough firefighters on the job is fundamental to protecting our communities and being prepared for emergencies,” said Senator Menendez. “This federal funding is going directly to the Howell Fire District No. 1 so that there will be an adequate number of firefighters working to help keep people and property safe. I proudly support the SAFER program and am committed to protecting this critical source of funding and fighting for our first responders in the new legislative session.”

As Vice Chairman of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, Senator Lautenberg has worked to provide sufficient funding for the SAFER program. The SAFER grant program provides funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter organizations in order to help them increase the number of trained “front line” firefighters in their communities.

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