Highlands Fire Department Receives Assistance to Firefighters Grant

The Borough of Highlands Fire Department will be purchasing some much needed upgrades with the help of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AGF).

Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) has announced that the Borough of Highlands Fire Department has been awarded the AFG which means the Department will receive $665,000 to purchase a new fire truck thanks, in part, to a request by Pallone.

The Highlands Fire Department is an all-volunteer fire department. Currently the fire department uses two trucks that are more than 25-years-old. The funding will go towards the purchase of a newer and safer ladder truck.

“The need for this fire truck is clear, and thanks to this federal grant the volunteers of Highlands Fire Department will have an updated vehicle that will improve the safety of the firefighters and the residents of Highlands,” said Pallone.

The AFG program is part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and is part of a coordinated effort to improve the nation’s ability to respond to emergency situations. Pallone co-hosted a workshop on Monday, June 18 for local fire departments that provided information on the federal grants available to fire departments. 

Over the past year, more than one million dollars in grant money has been awarded to fire departments in the sixth Congressional district to improve community emergency services.