In March of 2024, the NJ Department of Community Affairs (NJDCA) announced its American Rescue Plan (ARP) Firefighter grant program awardees. Excitingly, The Aubrey Group secured a cumulative total of $543,000 (8 separate awards) in funding for our clients. The following Aubrey Group clients were selected for funding this year:

• Buena Borough (Atlantic County):
  $68,000 for 10 self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) air bottles and 8 full turnout gear sets.

• Montclair Township (Essex County):
  $75,000 to replace 16 turnout gear sets. 

• Atlantic Highlands Borough (Monmouth County):
  $75,000 towards the purchase of 83 self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) air bottles. 

• Matawan Borough (Monmouth County):
  $75,000 towards 15  self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) air packs.

• Hillside Township (Union County):
  $55,000 for 15 sets of turnout coats and pants. 

• Rahway City (Union County):
  $45,000 for the purchase of new sets of turnout gear, gloves, hoods, helmets, and SCBA fit testing equipment.

• Roselle Park Borough (Union County):
  $75,000 to replace 15 sets of aged turnout gear.

• Union Township (Union County):
  $75,000 towards the purchase of turnout gear, washing machine extractor, and harness hooks. 

Five of the municipalities listed above received the maximum award amount of $75,000. 

About the NJ Department of Community Affairs (NJDCA) American Rescue Plan (ARP) Firefighter Grant Awards: The American Rescue Plan Firefighter Grant (“Firefighter Grant”) is a competitive grant that supports local and regional fire department firefighters by ensuring that they have proper fire protection, cleaning, and sanitization equipment. Ensuring that firefighters are properly protected against the combined threats of the COVID-19 virus and the strain of emergency fire requests is vital given the current stress on communities confronting the pandemic. Access to funding to purchase the appropriate gear, clothing, and equipment is critical for mental and physical health, particularly for those fire departments with limited operating budgets and large numbers of volunteers. Assisting local and regional fire departments in purchasing gear, clothing, and equipment helps address these equity considerations, meeting the needs of communities that have been placed under substantial stress throughout the pandemic. The Firefighter Grant will allocate funds to allow departments to make these needed purchases. Click here for the full list of 2024 awardees.