Grant funds new equipment

ENGLISHTOWN - Congressman Rush Holt (D-N.J.) recently presented the Englishtown Fire Department with a symbolic $76,500 check for an upgrade of breathing apparatus to be used by firefighters.

"I am pleased to see firsthand how federal funds are being put to good use in Englishtown," Holt said. "First responders are the first line of defense that our communities have in preventing, preparing for and responding to emergencies. This grant will provide Englishtown firefighters with the equipment they need to continue to serve our community safely and effectively."

The $76,500 grant was awarded to Englishtown by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security through the Assis-tance to Firefighters Grant program.

The money was used to purchase advanced breathing packs for firefighters, which have a 45-minute capacity, more than double that of their previous equipment, according to a press release from Holt's office.

The breathing packs also contain several other safety features to help keep firefighters safe while responding to an emergency. These new breathing apparatuses have been used on 177 calls this year.

"This grant was vital in helping the Englishtown Fire Department to upgrade its equipment and better serve the community," First Lt. Peter Hall said. "Without this money there is no way we could have purchased these advanced breathing packs."