On May 31, 2023, the Glen Rock Fire Department and Hawthorne Fire Department took ownership of 80 sets of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatuses (SCBA) purchased with their AFG grant award of $293,409. The Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program helps firehouses and EMS agencies across the country to upgrade or purchase new equipment, vehicles, workplace training, and other fire prevention activities.
As a Federal Grant can be challenging to win, Glen Rock Fire Chief Tom Jennings and Hawthorne Fire Chief Joe Speranza, with the approval and support of Mayors Kristine Morieko (Glen Rock) and John Lane (Hawthorne) filed a joint application, to benefit two towns in two separate counties. Congressman Josh Gottheimer of the 5th District supported this Grant Application and promoted that 6 Bergen County Towns were awarded monies totaling 1.3 million.
“This is a perfect example of teamwork between Mutual Aid fire departments, they train together, work together, and now raise funds together” – Mayor Kristine Morieko, Glen Rock
The Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program is one of three grant programs that constitute the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA’s) focus on enhancing the safety of the public and firefighters with respect to fire and fire-related hazards.
