The city of Trenton and its residents will be safer thanks to a federal grant that will save 61 firefighter jobs and prevent scheduled layoffs. Had the layoffs occurred, the city's firefighting force would have been cut by a third.

    The $13.7 million grant to be disbursed over two years is a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response -- or SAFER -- grant, provided through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

    The cash-strapped city had applied for the grant as the state cut funding to its cities and towns. Trenton was particularly hard hit because of the state's withholding of expected payments in lieu of taxes for its vast array of nontaxable buildings and operations in the capital city.

    Working with city leaders, U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, R-Robbinsville, was instrumental in securing the grant for the city. After meeting with Battalion Chief John Gribbin and other city firefighters in September, Smith argued the city's case to FEMA. 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.

    Smith took over the case personally, calling Elizabeth Harman, FEMA's assistant administrator, continually until news of the grant was announced late last week.

    "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," said Congressman Smith.

    And Trenton is most fortunate to have Mr. Smith in its corner.

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