North Jersey first responders receive federal funds, grants. Is your town on the list?

Marsha A. Stoltz, NorthJersey.com
Updated ·3 min read

NEW MILFORD — More than $5 million in new investments for North Jersey first responders were announced on Tuesday.

“I’m honored to announce new investments that we’ve clawed back from Washington to North Jersey to make sure all of our brave first responders have the equipment, training and resources they need to protect themselves and our communities," said U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-Wyckoff, at Fire Company 1 as part of National Police Week.

“We must always have the backs of our first responders, just as you always have our backs. There’s nothing partisan about protecting our communities and equipping our first responders,” Gottheimer said.

U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-Wyckoff, announces first responder grants at a press conference in New Milford on May 14, 2024.
U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-Wyckoff, announces first responder grants at a press conference in New Milford on May 14, 2024.

Recipients of the new federal investments announced by Gottheimer include:

  • Bergenfield: $1 million for emergency communications equipment;

  • Paramus: $963,000for emergency communications equipment;

  • Woodcliff Lake Police Department: $160,000 for automated license plate reader cameras;

  • Upper Saddle River Police Department: $150,000 for automated license plate reader cameras.

“Our agency will be receiving money from the Community Project Funding program for the purchase and installation of automated license plate readers,” said Upper Saddle River Police Chief Patrick Rotella. “As a former detective and the chair of the Bergen County Police Chiefs Crime Prevention Committee, I can attest that this technology will make our community, as well as those around us, safer.”

The grants, mostly for police and fire departments, come as the state's ambulance industry warns they are "close to collapsing" because New Jersey does not declare them as "essential services" that qualify them for many federal, state and local funding programs.

Among services that have been successful despite the limitations is Teaneck's EMS program, which has garnered $1.1 million in Assistance to Firefighter Grants since 2017.

First responders gather at Fire Company 1 in New Milford for announcement of new first responder grants by U.S. Rep Josh Gottheimer, D-Wyckoff, on May 14, 2024.
First responders gather at Fire Company 1 in New Milford for announcement of new first responder grants by U.S. Rep Josh Gottheimer, D-Wyckoff, on May 14, 2024.

“One challenge is we’ve never charged a fee, and we are 100% volunteer and dependent on donations," said Teaneck EMS President Danny Senter. "As prices continue to rise, our donations continue to dwindle. I can honestly say, without the assistance of grants that many of our members worked hard to secure, we would be unable to continue our lifesaving efforts, specifically the Fireman’s Assistance Grant,” Senter said.

Assistance to Firefighter Grant recipients also include Ridgewood at $263,725, Norwood at $190,476, Englewood (regional grant) at $85,627, Allendale at $8,697, Englewood (city grant) at $92,411 and Closter Volunteer Ambulance Corps at $245,454.

American Rescue Plan Firefighter Grants help fire departments cover the costs of protective clothing as well as cleaning, oxygen and protective equipment.

AMBULANCE CHARGES Surprise bills from ambulance rides can be a huge expense, and NJ is no exception

Grants totaling $2.3 million to 42 recipients include:

  • Bergen County — Allendale, $45,000; Bergenfield, $75,000; Cresskill, $54,000; Emerson, $61,000; Englewood, $45,000; Fair Lawn, $23,000; Fort Lee, $74,000; Glen Rock, $20,000; Hackensack, $74,000; Harrington Park, $73,000; Leonia, $75,000; Mahwah, $75,000; New Milford, $73,000; Northvale, $75,000; Norwood, $22,000; Oradell, $20,000; Palisades Park, $63,700; Paramus, $36,000; Park Ridge, 26,000; Ramsey, $74,000; Ridgefield Park, $60,000; Ridgewood, $75,000; River Edge, $23,000; Saddle River, $75,000; Teaneck, $75,000; Tenafly, $52,000; Waldwick, $55,000; Wyckoff, $56,000.

  • Passaic County — Ringwood, $65,000; West Milford, $75,000.

  • Sussex County —Andover, $75,000; Frankford Fire Department, $70,000; Franklin, $60,000; Hamburg, $70,000; Hampton, $70,000; Hardyston, $15,000; Lafayette, $75,000; Montague, $30,000; Newton, $70,000; Sandyston, $36,000; Sussex, $36,000; Wantage, $65,000.

Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grants totals $584,700 and includes Paramus with $183,400; Northvale with $183,300; and Harrington Park with $218,000.

Gottheimer's 5th District covers parts of Sussex, Passaic and Bergen counties.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ first responders receive federal funds: See how much