$46K Grant Awarded To Westfield Fire Department

WESTFIELD, NJ — The Westfield Fire Department earned $45,818 in grant money from the 2024 Assistance to Firefighters program.

Each year, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) invites emergency response agencies to apply for millions of dollars in available grants that are to be used for resources that equip and train responders, enhance operational efficiencies, build interoperability, and strengthen community resilience.

Fire departments, nonaffiliated emergency medical service organizations, and state fire training academies are all eligible to apply. Entries are then judged on a multi-phase process that incorporates an electronic pre-scoring and panel review ranking based on how well agencies align with the funding priorities outlined by the initiative.

Through Congressman Tom Kean, Jr.'s (NJ-07) Fire Grants and Safety Act that was signed into law in 2024, the U.S. Fire Administration, the Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program, the Fire Prevention and Safety Grant Program, and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grant Program were all reauthorized for five years.

"Receiving the $46K Assistance to Firefighters Grant is incredibly meaningful because it represents recognition of the hard work, dedication, and commitment of our department to serving the community," Westfield Fire Chief Michael Duelks said in speaking to Patch.

According to the Department, the money will be used to buy additional Personal Protective Equipment for staff.

"Beyond the financial support," Duelks added, "it validates our efforts to maintain high standards of training, safety, and operational readiness."

FEMA granted a total of $291.6 million across 1,678 awards in its latest round of winners. Over the last 24 years, the Assistance to Firefighters Grant has provided departments with around $8.7 billion in funding to obtain equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training, and other resources to help protect themselves and the community from fire hazards.

New Jersey fire departments looking to apply for the fiscal year 2025 fire safety grants can do so through the FEMA website.

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