On Monday, February 10, U.S. Representatives Bill Pascrell, Jr. (NJ-9) and Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) celebrated the awarding of a $45,000 federal investment to the Teaneck Fire Department for equipment to decontaminate firefighters’ gear and help prevent cancer. Pascrell and Gottheimer, along with U.S. Senator Cory Booker (NJ), all helped win this investment for the Teaneck Fire Department.

Administered by the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), this federal award is part of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program, which provides direct financial investment to eligible fire departments to equip and train emergency personnel for the demanding and ever-evolving nature of their work.

Specifically, this federal investment has provided Teaneck’s firefighters with a personal protective equipment washer extractor and drying cabinet to help protect them from hazardous chemicals, blood-born pathogens, carcinogens and other contaminants that they may encounter in the line of duty.

Multiple studies show high rates of cancer in firefighters due to contaminants left behind on their gear from burning materials and smoke. The Teaneck Fire Department’s new equipment, won through the AFG program, has been ranked in the top five best practices to help prevent cancer in firefighters.

Pascrell and Gottheimer were joined at the Teaneck Fire Department Headquarters by Bob Allen of the New Jersey Firefighters’ Mutual Benevolent Association (FMBA), Teaneck FMBA 242 President Brian Taylor, Teaneck FMBA 42 President Steven Van Master, Teaneck Fire Chief Jordan Zaretsky, Teaneck Township Manager Dean Kazinci and Teaneck firefighters.