TRENTON, NJ – The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs’ (DCA) Division of Local Government Services (DLGS) and Division of Fire Safety (DFS) is reminding municipalities, fire departments, volunteer fire companies, and fire districts that the deadline for filing applications for the American Rescue Plan Firefighter Grant Program (ARP-FFG) is 5:00 p.m. EST on August 13, 2022. The American Rescue Plan Firefighter Grant Program will help local and regional fire departments in New Jersey provide first responders with proper protective, cleaning, and sanitization equipment. Governor Murphy appropriated $10 million from the American Rescue Plan State Fiscal Recovery Funds to support the purchase of firefighter equipment during this time of heightened community need.

"The American Rescue Plan Firefighter Grant Program is open to all public, local, and regional fire departments in New Jersey and will help provide first responders with proper protective, cleaning, and sanitization equipment,” said Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver, who serves as DCA Commissioner. “Please apply today. These funds will help meet the needs of communities that have been placed under substantial stress throughout the pandemic."

Grants of up to $75,000 will be administered by the Division of Local Government Services and will prioritize volunteer fire departments, as well as departments in communities that have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. 

“Ensuring that firefighters are properly protected against the combined threats of the COVID-19 virus, the cancer-causing contaminates in smoke, and the strain of emergency requests is vital given the increased stress on our first responders,” said DFS Director and State Fire Marshal Richard Mikutsky. “Access to funding to purchase the appropriate gear, clothing, and equipment is critical for the mental and physical health of firefighters, particularly those who serve in fire departments with limited operating budgets and large numbers of volunteers."                                                                                                                                           

"The Division will evaluate all grant applications and rank them by community and financial need, feasibility, local unit match commitment, and scope of impact,” said DLGS Director Jacquelyn Suárez. “We encourage New Jersey’s dedicated fire service to take advantage of these funds and apply today.”

All applications must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. EST on August 13, 2022, through the NJDCA SAGE Portal, which can be accessed here: https://dcasage.intelligrants.com/portal.asp [r20.rs6.net]. 

For municipal and volunteer fire departments, applications are to be submitted through their municipality.

For regional or independent fire departments, the stand-alone agency or fire district must be registered in SAGE and set up an “Agency Profile.” The SAGE Agency User Manual can be located at: https://www.nj.gov/dca/dlgs/programs/arpffg.shtml [r20.rs6.net]. 

To view the full program guidelines online, visit: https://www.nj.gov/dca/dlgs/programs/arpffg.shtml [r20.rs6.net]. 

Applicants may contact Laurie Ann Doyle in DLGS at (609) 292-4132 to discuss program and project needs up to submission of the application. Questions may also be submitted via e-mail to arpffg@dca.nj.gov.

The Division of Local Government Services serves as an advocate for local government interests and provides technical and financial assistance in budgeting, financial reporting, joint services, purchasing, and management issues. They are responsible for the financial integrity of all local government units and review and approve all municipal, county, and fire district budgets. They also review many local government financial actions and govern and guide the conduct of local government officials.

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