Lakewood fire District received a $41,000 grant from the American Rescue Plan, which awarded grants to local and regional fire departments across New Jersey to ensure firefighters have proper protective, cleaning, and sanitization equipment during this time of heightened community need.

The grants were awarded to a total of 293 fire departments after a competitive application process.

Fire departments will use the grant funding to help cover costs associated with the purchases of:

• Protective clothing (turnout clothing ensembles, pants, garments, helmets, hoods, gloves, footwear, etc.);
• Cleaning and advanced cleaning equipment;
• Oxygen equipment;
• Personal protective equipment (PPE); and
• Other fire/virus protection equipment as determined to be appropriate by DCA’s Division of Local Government Services.

To qualify for grant funding, each eligible applicant had to describe the intended use of the funding, list the key personnel and/or outside consultant that will be managing the grant funds and purchase of equipment, and submit a governing body resolution acknowledging and approving any grant application and the proposed plan to use funds for the purchase of approved items.

All local and regional fire departments in New Jersey were eligible to apply.

The American Rescue Plan Firefighter Grants are reimbursement-based. There is no advance payment or drawdown of grant funds. Eligible costs are reimbursed to the fire department when it submits evidence of payment of qualifying expenses to DCA.