Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04) joined the Federal Emergency Management Agency to host a firefighters and EMS grant workshop on Friday, September 23 at the Jackson Mills Fire House (Station 54), in Jackson Township.  The purpose of the workshop was to guide fire officials with important tips for successfully competing for FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG).

     “This is an excellent grant program and the application period for 2016 funding is expected to open in a few weeks,” said Smith, who helped create the grants as a member of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus.  “I encourage fire companies looking for federal funding to attend the workshop to find out the latest information straight from FEMA. Many fire districts from across my congressional district have benefited from FEMA firefighting and EMS grants, and I’d like to see that continue. I can assist applicants in the process, and the first step is encouraging fire districts to apply. A new grant application period will open in October and I’d like to see as many fire companies as possible poised to apply.”

   To find the official Notice of Funding Opportunity and other helpful information, visit http://www.fema.gov/welcome-assistance-firefighters-grant-program under the “Breaking News” tab. There, you will also be able to find other resources such as the 2016 application for this year and application guidance materials, which includes such aids as a cost share calculator, application checklist and Get Ready Guide.

   “My district stretches from the Delaware River to the Jersey Shore, and this firehouse is centrally located and hopefully accessible to most firefighters from the area,” said Smith, who helped create the grant program in 2000 as a member of the Fire Services Caucus. “I am grateful to the Fire Commissioners, especially Commissioner Brian Ruditsky,  Chief  Michael Lubertazzi and Union President Rich Leonard for agreeing to host this workshop.”

     The Fourth Congressional District encompasses 44 municipalities and includes parts of Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean counties. Municipalities in the Fourth District include:

• Mercer County - Hamilton and Robbinsville;

• Ocean County - Bay Head, Jackson, Lakewood, Lakehurst, Manchester, Point Pleasant Beach, portions of Point Pleasant Borough and Plumsted, and;

• Monmouth County - Allentown, Avon-By-The-Sea, Belmar, Bradley Beach, Brielle, Colts Neck, Eatontown, Englishtown, Fair Haven, Farmingdale, Freehold Borough, Freehold Township, Holmdel, Howell, Lake Como, Little Silver, Manalapan, Manasquan, portions of Middletown, Millstone, Neptune City, Neptune Township, Ocean Township, Red Bank, Roosevelt, Rumson, Sea Girt, Shrewsbury, Shrewsbury Township, Spring Lake, Spring Lake Heights, Tinton Falls, Upper Freehold and Wall.

   For more information contact Smith’s Constituent Service Centers, in Hamilton at (609) 585-7878, Ocean County at (609) 286-2571 or Freehold at (732) 780-3035.