Asbury Park FD gets federal grant for new hires

Asbury Park firefighters can expect to add personnel and enhance training, through a $269,310 federal grant announced Wednesday by shore Representative Frank Pallone (D-6).

The allotment stems from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program, encompassing some $340,000,000 in competitive grants nationwide.

"These funds will allow Asbury Park to hire additional firefighters and first responders, making the community an even safer place to live," Pallone said in prepared comments.

"It is critical that our brave first responders have all the tools necessary to protect the health and safety of the public and themselves in the case of an emergency and I will continue to support federal funding in these areas."

The SAFER program allows fire departments to enlarge the size of their frontline firefighting teams, maintain 24-hour staffing, and enlist volunteers trained in emergency response and firefighting operations. The grants are also issued to statewide and local volunteer firefighter support groups.