64 NEW FIREFIGHTERS TO BE HIRED
PASCRELL-AUTHOR OF LANDMARK 'FIRE ACT'- SECURES OVER $6 MILLION IN NEW FEDERAL FUNDS FOR PATERSON FD
WASHINGTON - U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-08) secured a massive federal grant $6,374,080 that will allow the Paterson FD to hire 64 new firefighters and increase its corps of 266 firefighters to a robust force of 330. The $6,374,080 grant accounts for a disproportionately large 12.7 percent of the $50 million total that will be awarded to departments nationwide.
"My work with the federal government and City of Paterson to secure this grant has made this day one of the proudest in my career." stated Pascrell, the Ranking Member of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Science and Technology. "The Paterson Fire Department will finally have the manpower it needs to bring an even greater level of security to our community. For too long, the federal government has turned a deaf ear to staffing our urban fire departments. This grant demonstrates a change in that short-sighted policy."
"On behalf of the City of Paterson, the Council and the Fire Department, I thank Congressman Pascrell for his proven commitment protecting the people of this great city," stated Mayor Jose "Joey" Torres. "Time and time again, the Congressman's work in Washington makes a direct impact right here at home. This grant brings additional safety to our streets, homes and businesses. It will also bring services to increase the value of our taxpayer's hard earned dollars. Congressman Pascrell has done it again. His work has made this a great day for the City of Paterson."
The grant comes from the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program. SAFER grants are awarded through a new innovative federal program that funds fire departments to hire, recruit, and retain firefighters. The SAFER hiring award has a five year performance period that includes a local matching requirement.
In 1999, Pascrell authored the first comprehensive national legislation dedicated to meeting the needs of America's 32,000 fire departments. Pascrell's Fire Investment Response Enhancement (FIRE) Act, was signed into law by President Bill Clinton in 2000. The FIRE Act has grown from a $100 million grant program in 2000 to a $715 million grant program this year. A technical restraint prohibited the FIRE Act grant program from providing funds for staffing. Pascrell modeled his FIRE grant program on the successful COPS grant program which provides for equipment and staffing needs.
Determined to add federal funds for firefighter staffing, Pascrell, the Congressional Fire Service Institute's 2005 Legislator of the Year, led the fight to push the SAFER grant program through Congress.
Pascrell was an original sponsor of the SAFER legislation. On June 4, 2003, Pascrell testified before the House Committee on Science on behalf of the SAFER Act that he said, "can undoubtedly help us meet the urgent needs of fire services throughout our nation." Six months later the SAFER grant program passed in Congress. On November 24, 2003, the SAFER grant program was signed into law.
"Once I sink my teeth into a project, I do not let go," stated Pascrell, a member of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus. "Implementing the FIRE grant program is one of my greatest accomplishments in Congress, but I never forgot the staffing clause that was omitted. Not for one day. That is why I led the effort to create a staffing grant, and look where we are today. Paterson is 64 firefighters richer. The City of Paterson will be prepared to reach the level of staffing necessary to serve New Jersey's third largest city."
"Thanks to Congressman Pascrell's dedication to fire services and the City of Paterson, Christmas has come early for our Department," stated Paterson Fire Chief Michael Postorino. "This award will go a long, long way in bringing a greater level of fire services to the people of Paterson, and the surrounding communities. Congressman Pascrell's FIRE grant has brought new tools, breathing apparatuses, communications devices and even a new rescue truck to our city, and on top of that, he never forgot our staffing needs."
Pascrell FIRE grants have brought $995,664 to the City of Paterson. The most recent FIRE grant was awarded in August of 2005 when Paterson FD received $280,000 in federal funding for a new fire rescue truck.
In April of 2005, the Congressional Fire Service Institute honored Pascrell as its "2005 Legislator of the Year" for his leadership on behalf of first responders nationwide. Established in 1989 as a non-profit, non-partisan institute, the Congressional Fire Services Institute is designed to educate Congress about fire and emergency services. Its mission is achieved by providing an array of programs to engage members of Congress in fire and life safety issues. Among the national fire service organizations, CFSI strives to build consensus for federal legislation benefiting all facets of the fire and emergency services.
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