FEDERAL MONEY WILL HELP KEEP AC FIREFIGHTERS ON THE JOB

U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker and Congressman Frank LoBiondo announced a $21,517,020 federal Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant to retain 85 Atlantic City firefighters who were slated for layoff in the aftermath of the closings of four casinos last year. The SAFER program is administered by the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and seeks to increase the number of frontline firefighters, enhancing the ability of departments to attain and maintain 24-hour staffing and assuring that their communities have adequate protection from fire and fire-related hazards. “This is certainly welcome news for Atlantic City, which has continued to make slow but steady progress after the closure of four casinos last year,” said Rep. LoBiondo. “This federal funding is critical for the men and women of the A.C. Fire Department to ensure public safety and continued response to emergencies. I appreciate and applaud the team effort of Senators Booker and Menendez along with Mayor Guardian and others to assist Atlantic City during these challenging times.”