{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397683", "<span class=\"kicker\">Many NJ fire companies have won AFG grant in past</span>Key Firefighter Grant Application Period Opens Monday, Nov. 3", "2014-10-31", "2014", "2014-10", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Christopher Smith", "S000522", "chrissmith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Applications for the popular Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) offered by the federal government will be accepted beginning Monday, Nov. 3 and ending Friday, Dec. 5, 2014 at 5 p.m. Eastern Time.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\"This is an important FEMA grant that can help protect firefighters in harm\u2019s way and help them do their job protecting lives, homes and businesses in our communities,\u201d said Smith, a long-time member of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus. \u201cEvery fire department should take a hard look at this grant.\u00a0 Congress created it to be flexible and it has been historically well-funded.\u201d \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Smith, who voted to create the equipment grant program in 2000, noted that under the AFG program, millions of dollars have come to New Jersey firefighters for such equipment as radios, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), turn out gear (firefighting suits, boots and helmet), and even fire vehicles such as ladders and pumpers. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cMany local fire companies in Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean counties have received multiple grants over the years,\u201d Smith said. \u201cBut even if a previous application has been rejected, or if other grants in past years have been received, I encourage applicants to consider trying again this year. They can contact my office if they need assistance. We have been able to overcome some hurdles for applicants. The most important thing is to not miss the Dec. 5 deadline.\u201d \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The grant comes through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security\u2019s Assistance to Firefighters Grants Operations and Safety Grant Program. It is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The purpose of AFG is to award grants directly to fire departments and non-affiliated Emergency Medical Services organizations (EMS) to protect both the health and safety of the public and first-responder personnel. A competitive process\u2014overseen by fire service subject matter experts\u2014awards grants to applicants whose requests are aligned with the priorities of the AFG Program. For more about the FY 2014 AFG Program please visithttp://www.fema.gov/assistance-firefighters-grant. For additional information on the FY 2014 AFG program please visit our web site at: http://www.fema.gov/assistance-firefighters-grant, or contact the AFG Program Help Desk at 1-866-274-0960 or via email at firegrants@dhs.gov. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0For towns of less than 20,000, there is a 5 percent applicant match. For towns of over 20,000 residents (but less than one million) there is a 20 percent applicant match. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Nationally, $340 million is available via the FY 2014 funds appropriated by Congress, of which $34 million is allocated to fund the FY 2014 Fire Prevention &amp; Safety grant program. The remaining $304 million is available, funding for vehicles limited to 25 percent of the total 2014 AFG appropriation. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Interested organizations are eligible to submit up to three applications under the following categories for FY 2014: Operations and Safety for professional training, wellness and fitness programs equipment, personal protective equipment, modifications to facilities, and supplies that support firefighting and non-affiliated EMS operations and safety; Vehicle Acquisition for: pumpers, aerials, brush trucks, tankers/tenders, rescue vehicles, ambulances; and Regional Grants in which multiple organizations serving more than one local jurisdiction would benefit directly from the activities requested with grant funds. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Congress created the program to upgrade capabilities of local firefighters to respond to fires and fire-related hazards, such as vehicular accidents. Since 2001, the AFG has provided approximately $6.1 billion in grants to first-responder organizations to obtain much-needed emergency response equipment, personal protective equipment, firefighting and emergency vehicles, and training. During fiscal year (FY) 2014, the AFG will award another $304.5 million to first-responder organizations that need support to improve their capability to respond to fires and emergencies of all types. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Congressman Smith, who represents New Jersey\u2019s Fourth Congressional District in the House of Representatives, has offices in Mercer, Monmouth, and Ocean Counties.\u00a0 Inquiries regarding the AFG program should be directed to the Monmouth County office is located at 112 Village Center Drive, Raintree Towne Center, 2nd floor.\u00a0 The phone number is (732) 780-3035.\u00a0\r\n ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397683"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.7239929400384426, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}