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PATERSON—U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-08), a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security today announced that the Belleville Police Department and the Clifton Fire Department have each been awarded grants through the Department of Homeland Security’s Commercial Equipment Direct Assistance Program (CEDAP).
The Belleville Police Department will receive $16,550 for the purchase of a lightweight modular portable video system that can be used for search, surveillance and emergency rescue situations.
“I applaud the Belleville Police Department for investing in equipment that will allow first responders to better prepare for emergency situations,” stated Pascrell. “In addition to enhancing the presence of our community police, video surveillance helps law enforcement apprehend suspects and prosecute crime.”
The Clifton Fire Department will receive $11,400 for the purchase of hand-held biological agent detection technology that will enable on-site rapid detection, analysis, and identification of biological agents. This latest federal grant will add to the $417,000 that Clifton has already been awarded through Rep. Pascrell’s Firefighter Investment Response Enhancement (FIRE) Act. Pascrell’s “FIRE Act,” introduced in March of 1999, is the first comprehensive national legislation dedicated to meet the special needs of America’s 32,000 volunteer, paid and part-paid fire departments.
“This rapid detection technology will allow Clifton’s first responders to quickly and accurately measure a risk before they enter into a hazardous situation,” stated Pascrell. “I commend Clifton for again tapping the resources available through the federal government to best equip its firefighters.”
Both grants were funded through the Commercial Equipment Direct Assistance Program which Congress created to enhance the ability of first responders to acquire specialized equipment and training to meet their homeland security mission.
CEDAP offers law enforcement agencies, fire departments and other emergency responders with equipment and training to respond to critical incidents. The program offers equipment in the following categories; personal protection, thermal imaging, night vision, video surveillance, chemical and biological detection tools, information technology and risk management tools, and interoperable communications. This year, the program will provide equipment, equipment training, and equipment technical assistance valued at approximately $17.6 million to 1,045 law enforcement and emergency responder organizations across the Nation.
“This federal grant money will allow our first responders to purchase the most modern equipment available to keep our communities safe. Our local police and fire departments risk their lives on a daily basis, and the federal government must ensure that they are able to utilize the latest technologies available to perform their jobs as efficiently and safely as possible. I will continue my fight to equip America’s first responders with the most modern emergency response technology,” concluded Pascrell.
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