American Firefighter awarded with $20 Million by….

Wallen and Swift have been at the top of the charts for a while, so this isn’t the first time they’ve faced off in a struggle for dominance in the music industry. Wallen’s most recent album, One Thing at a Time, debuted at number thirty on the list all at once in 2023. a fresh best.

In 2024, Wallen’s record was broken by one when Taylor Swift released The Tortured Poets Department, which contained—you guessed it—31 singles that all peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100.

Despite recent court appearances and public tongue lashings from the Nashville city council, Wallen’s success keeps coming in. His Tennessee-themed pub in Nashville debuted to great acclaim despite being pushed back, and his show is still going on.

Governor Murphy expressed his satisfaction with his administration’s ability to double the amount of ARP funding allotted to fire departments in this year’s budget, from $10 million to $20 million. Fire departments play a vital role in providing life-saving services to communities. Thanks to the second cycle of the American Rescue Plan Firefighter Grant Program, local governments may now provide firemen with the necessary clothing and equipment without breaking the budget. Here in New Jersey, we’re using federal tax funds to provide necessary services for local communities.

Governor Murphy went on, “Without the support of our state and federal legislators, who have consistently prioritized our first responders, this funding would not be possible.”

Because of the high expenses and limited resources, fire departments may find it challenging to update equipment when necessary. Fire departments may now buy the tools they need to safeguard our communities and ourselves thanks to the American Rescue Plan Firefighter Grants, according to DCA Acting Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suárez. DCA takes great pride in overseeing this significant award program and providing government funding to public workers who volunteer to serve their communities in spite of grave personal danger.

Beginning with the founding of the firefighter grant program about 25 years ago, to continuously asking budget resolutions for cash to help state fire departments, to forming task groups to promote fire safety, New Jersey lawmakers atCongressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) expressed his excitement, saying, “As co-chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, I am thrilled to see Governor Murphy allocate $20 million in American Rescue Plan funds to fire departments statewide.” “I worked hard to ensure that President Biden’s American Rescue Plan included financing for first responders, and I’m happy to see that the money is going toward supporting our firemen. With the support of this investment, 335 local and regional fire departments in New Jersey will be better equipped to safeguard our communities and save lives. I applaud Governor Murphy’s commitment to public safety as well as that of his administration. I’ll keep pushing in Congress to guarantee that our first responders have the resources and assistance they require to keep us and themselves safe.”

Fire departments will use the grant funding to help cover costs associated with the purchases of:

1. Protective clothing (turnout clothing ensembles, pants, helmets, hoods, gloves, footwear, etc.);
2. Cleaning and advanced cleaning equipment;
3. Breathing apparatuses;
4. Personal protective equipment (PPE); and
5. Other fire and/or virus protection equipment as determined to be appropriate by DCA’s Division of Local Government Services (DLGS).

To qualify for grant funding, each eligible applicant had to describe the intended use of the funding, list the key personnel and/or outside consultant that will be managing the grant funds and purchase of equipment, and submit a governing body resolution acknowledging and approving any grant application and the proposed plan to use funds for the purchase of approved items.

Grant applications were reviewed based on the following criteria:

Scope of fire department need as demonstrated by equipment need, number of service calls, number of active firefighters, distressed city rating, and population of service area.
Level of commitment to protecting firefighters as demonstrated by the local match to the grant funding and other grants for protective equipment or other firefighting projects.
All local and regional fire departments in New Jersey were eligible to apply.

The American Rescue Plan Firefighter Grants are reimbursement-based. There is no advance payment or drawdown of grant funds. Eligible costs are reimbursed to the fire department when it submits evidence of payment of qualifying expenses to DCA.

“Safe clothing and gear are extremely important to firefighters’ physical and mental health,” said State Fire Marshal and Division of Fire Safety Director Richard Mikutsky. “The continuation of these grant funds means so much to these dedicated first responders, many of whom are volunteers.”

“Another strong commitment from the Murphy administration to protect New Jersey’s bravest. The number one killer to firefighters is cancer. This appropriation will help ensure we continue to take the steps to protect ourselves while we are out there protecting the residents and visitors of New Jersey,” said Ed Donnelly, President NJ FMBA.

“The health and safety of Firefighters should be a top priority for everyone in our state. This grant program goes a long way in supporting the well-being of our NJ Firefighters who serve in career and volunteer departments. We applaud Governor Murphy for his leadership and thank everyone involved for this important program. Having proper protective equipment and the ability to maintain that equipment in an uncontaminated condition will help shield the health and safety of Firefighters throughout NJ,” said Robert F. Ordway, President, New Jersey State Firemen’s Association.

“Since the inception of the American Rescue Plan Firefighter Grants program, the Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey (PFANJ) is honored to stand with the governor on this initiative. We are proud to see the awarding of an additional $20 million in funding. PFANJ firefighters courageously confront dangers daily, and this funding empowers departments to procure essential equipment for our vital duties. Governor Murphy consistently prioritizes the safety of our members, and for that, we express our gratitude,” said Matthew Caliente, President, Professional Firefighters Assoc. of NJ, IAFF, NJ AFL-CIO