Washington, Oct 4 -  Today, Congressman Scott Garrett announced that his request for Federal funding for new fire alarms as a critical safety improvement to the New Jersey Veterans Memorial Home in Paramus would be approved, according to a Department of Veterans Affairs list provided to the House Veterans Affairs Committee.

“This facility – home to hundreds of older, often vulnerable veterans —must be suitably equipped to protect both the residents and those who work to take care of them, from harm by fire, smoke inhalation, or other fire-related hazards,” said Garrett. “When Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson toured the Home with me in June, I impressed upon him the dire need for these improvements and he was able to see the needs first-hand. I am extremely pleased that the funding for the fire alarm rehabilitation will be available and I will continue to work for funding for other needed improvements to the Veterans Home for the HVAC and dayroom projects.”

Congressman Garrett has worked tirelessly on behalf of the Paramus Veterans Home. In addition to lobbying Secretary Nicholson to provide access to the Federal funding for these important health and safety improvements, Garrett also successfully urged New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Deputy Commissioner Col. (Ret.) Stephen G. Abel to provide the necessary state matching funding.

“I am encouraged by the VA’s support for this critical project and will continue to stay on top of other important projects on the Paramus Veterans Home’s to-do list until the needs of those American heroes are fully satisfied. I consider it an honor to do all I can to help these veterans and their home,” Garrett further stated.

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