Lawrence Gets $75K Grant To Upgrade Firefighter Equipment, Clothing

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ — Lawrence Township has received a grant of $75,000 to improve equipment and clothing for firefighters.

Gov. Phil Murphy and the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs awarded the American Rescue Plan Firefighter grant to the township.

The funding will be used to provide protective clothing and equipment to fire department personnel.

"We are extremely thankful to Governor Murphy and the Department of Community Affairs for this crucial funding. The safety of our firefighters is paramount, and this grant will allow us to provide them with the most up-to-date protective gear they need to serve our community effectively and safely," Mayor Patricia Hendricks Farmer said.

"This investment in our fire department is an investment in the safety of our entire community. We look forward to putting these funds to use and further enhancing the capabilities of our dedicated firefighters."

To qualify for the grant, each applicant had to describe the intended use of the funding, list the key personnel and/or outside consultant that will be managing the grant funds and purchase of equipment, and submit a governing body resolution acknowledging and approving any grant application and the proposed plan to use funds for the purchase of approved items.

“Safe clothing and gear are extremely important to firefighters’ physical and mental health,” said State Fire Marshal and Division of Fire Safety Director Richard Mikutsky. “The continuation of these grant funds means so much to these dedicated first responders, many of whom are volunteers.”

Grant applications were reviewed based on the following criteria, the governor's office aid:

• Scope of fire department need as demonstrated by equipment need, number of service calls, number of active firefighters, distressed city rating, and population of service area.
• Level of commitment to protecting firefighters as demonstrated by the local match to the grant funding and other grants for protective equipment or other firefighting projects.

The township will work closely with the Department of Community Affairs to ensure compliance with all terms, conditions, and requirements outlined in the grant agreement, officials said.

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