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For Immediate Release: January 4, 2008
Contact: Kimberly Allen, (202) 226-8364; (202) 420-1524 [cell]
Congressman Rothman, Senator Menendez Announce $675,000 Grant for Teaneck Fire Department
Mayor Katz and Fire Chief Montgomery Praise Federal Grant for Fire Truck
(Teaneck, NJ)—Standing inside the Teaneck Fire Station, Congressman Steve Rothman (D-Fair Lawn) and Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) presented Teaneck Mayor Elie Y. Katz and Fire Chief Robert Montgomery with a symbolic check for $675,000 in federal grant money they recently secured for a new fire truck. The grant, obtained through the Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program, will improve the township's local emergency preparedness and response capabilities.
"I am pleased to bring these federal dollars back home to the Township of Teaneck for this vital improvement in safety and security," said Congressman Rothman. "Mayor Katz has been tireless in his efforts to obtain funding for quality projects in Teaneck and I am happy that we were able to help secure this money to improve safety in Teaneck and alleviate the tax burden on our residents."
"It is important that firefighters have the equipment necessary to do their jobs but it is equally important that they remain as safe as possible in the performance of their valuable life-saving duties," said Senator Menendez. "This new Fire Ladder Truck will not only give first responders more options to rescue fire victims safely, it will better protect firefighters with safety standards like three point seat belts and a larger bucker with greater weight capacity."
The grant will go towards the purchase of a 2008 Sutphen Aerial Platform, model 100 foot Magnun vehicle to replace the township's aging 1987 model currently in use. The older vehicle has been repaired numerous times and requires an estimated $50,000 in further repairs, which would still not bring it up to National Fire Protection Association standards.
"This money will help strengthen emergency services in Teaneck and will better equip our Fire Department to respond to emergencies both in town and on our highways," said Mayor Elie Y. Katz.
The Department of Homeland Security's AFG program is designed to increase preparedness and the ability to respond to fires and fire related hazards. Using Fiscal Year 2007 funds, AFG will award approximately $490 million to fire and emergency medical services organizations. Since 2004, over $2 billion has been provided to first responder organizations for the acquisition of equipment and vehicles.
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