Boro fire co. gets $67K federal grant

SEA BRIGHT - - The Ocean Fire Company of Sea Bright has been awarded a $67,830 federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG). The purpose of the AFG program is to award grants directly to fire departments and non-affiliated emergency medical service (EMS) organizations to enhance their ability to protect the health and safety of the public, as well as that of first-responder personnel, with respect to fire and fire related hazards.

Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. (D-12) announced the grant and said the funds come from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Preparedness Directorate Office of Grants and Training (G&T) under the Fiscal Year 2006 AFG Program.

"I am very pleased that the Department of Homeland Security has selected the Ocean Fire Company to receive this federal grant," Pallone said in a press release. "These funds will allow our first responders in Sea Bright to purchase new personal protective equipment and vehicles, helping them to continue the vital services they provide to our community."

The AFG program has been providing funding to fire departments and other first responders since 2001. To date, a total of $2.4 billion in grants have been awarded to first-responder organizations to purchase response equipment, personal protective equipment, and vehicles, and to fund fire prevention activities.