WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Frank A. LoBiondo (NJ-02) today announced that the Germania Fire Company #2 was awarded $114,000 in federal funding for the purchase of new air packs which will replace 15-year old breathing apparatuses. To date, ninety-eight of New Jersey’s 2^nd Congressional District fire organizations have received funding under the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG), totaling more than $12.1 million. The program began in 2001. This is the first fire grant under the federal program for the Germania Engine Company #2.

“This is great news for the firefighters of the Germania Fire Company and the communities they serve,” said Congressman LoBiondo. “The men and women of our fire companies are the first responders to emergencies, dedicating their lives to protect our communities. They absolutely deserve our support.”

            “This is something that has been in the works for years, but never materialized. We’ve come close in the past, but today’s news is outstanding,” said Germania Fire Chief Ronald Garbutt Jr. “This funding and support will be a great asset to our fire department.”

The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFGP) awards one-year grants directly to fire departments to support the nation's firefighters and the services they deliver.   For the 2006 program, Congress appropriated, and President Bush signed into law, $485 million in direct assistance to firefighters to help them obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training, and other resources needed to protect the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards. The Office of Grants and Training in the Department of Homeland Security administers the grants in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration.

The Department of Homeland Security’s Office for Domestic Preparedness (ODP) administers the program, in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration. For the last five years, Congressman LoBiondo’s office has hosted local seminars for area fire departments to highlight the benefits of this grant program.

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