More than 60 Trenton firefighters facing layoff will keep their jobs thanks to a $13.6 million grant that U.S. Rep. Chris Smith helped get from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

    Smith announced the news yesterday, saying the grant is “all but certain’’ and that official disclosure will come within days.

    “I am most happy for the residents of Trenton who will be safer because of this grant and the firefighters and their families who can tear up the pink slips they’ve received,” Smith said.

    “This is an incredible close to a very difficult process for our fire department and the city of Trenton,” Mayor Tony Mack said after the announcement was made.

    “I am grateful for Congressman Smith and his staff, who tirelessly presented Trenton need as a priority to Washington officials. In addition, Acting Director Lenny Carmichael, Battalion Chief John Gribbin and all staff were an instrumental part of the application process. This award would be impossible without dedication and determination to see it through.”

    The $13.6 million comes through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER). It is administered by FEMA in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration.

    Smith, a member of the congressional committee on firefighting issues, received word of the funding this morning. Although official notice is expected next week, multiple federal sources have informed Smith the funds have been included in an upcoming round of grants.

    After meeting with Gribbin, the special operations officer, and other city firefighters in September 2010, Smith sent a letter to FEMA arguing the city’s case, focusing on the budgetary woes the Garden State’s capital is facing and public safety.

    In December, Smith helped obtain a waiver for the city after it inadvertently became ineligible for the grant when it postponed planned layoffs until after the New Year. Working with Assistant FEMA Administrator Elizabeth Harmon and FEMA staff, Smith explained to a concerned Harmon that the loss of an expected 61 firefighters would be detrimental to fire service in the densely populated city.

    “Trenton firefighters put themselves at risk to protect others, and we owe it to them to do our best to protect them,’’ said Smith. “This is a reprieve, protects lives and offers a bridge for the City as it seeks a long-term solution.’’
SAFER grants provide assistance to fire departments to increase the number of frontline firefighters. The goal is for fire departments to increase their staffing and deployment capabilities and help provide communities with adequate protection from fire and fire-related hazards.

    The SAFER program supports several critical activities, such as the rehiring of laid off firefighters, the retention of firefighters facing layoffs, the hiring of new firefighters, and recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters. Grants are used to pay the salaries and benefits of firefighters hired with grant funds over the two-year award performance period.

    Full online story:
http://www.trentonian.com/articles/2011/01/14/news/doc4d30ac7a98c73414536248.txt