North Jersey Congressional leaders teamed up to help the Teaneck fire department.
U.S. Reps. Bill Pascrell, Jr. and Josh Gottheimer were on hand to announce a $45,000 federal grant to the Teaneck Fire Department for equipment to decontaminate firefighters’ gear that helps to prevent cancer. Pascrell and Gottheimer, along with U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, all helped secure the investment for the township’s Fire Department.
“This federal investment is game-changer for Teaneck’s Bravest in their work to keep our community protected,” said Pascrell. “This generous award will be used to decontaminate our firefighters’ gear of hazardous chemicals and pathogens and will help prevent against incidences of cancer.”
Federal Investment
Specifically, this federal investment provides Teaneck’s firefighters with a Personal Protective Equipment Washer Extractor and Drying Cabinet to help protect them from hazardous chemicals, blood-born pathogens, carcinogens, and other contaminants they may encounter in the line of duty
“The federal government is providing these generous resources and not shifting the burden onto Teaneck and Bergen County – as it should be,” said Pascrell (NJ-9), the co-chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus. “With our firefighters watching over us every day, we’re watching out for them in Washington and fighting for every dollar they need.”
Multiple studies shown high rates of cancer in firefighters due to contaminants left behind on their gear from burning materials and smoke. The Teaneck Fire Department’s new equipment is ranked in the top five best practices to help prevent cancer in firefighters.
Helping Neighbors
For Gottheimer, the securing of the funds is just a partial payment for those who make neighborhoods safer and a place to raise families.
“Our brave firefighters and first responders put their lives on the line for us each and every day,” said Gottheimer. “But, our first responders cannot protect us without the resources they need to do their job safely and effectively.”
Administered by Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), this federal award is part of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program, which provides direct financial investment to eligible fire departments to equip and train emergency personnel for the demanding and ever-evolving nature of their work.
“With this federal investment for the Teaneck Fire Department, we are clawing our federal tax dollars back here to Jersey away from the Moocher States, standing by our first responders, and making sure they and our community are safe,” said Gottheimer.
Both representatives are members of the Congressional Law Enforcement Caucus and the Congressional Fire Services Caucus.
