Ridgewood Fire Department Gets New Safety Gear

A federal grant is helping the Ridgewood Fire Department update its critical gear, according to Fire Chief Jim Van Goor.

On Friday, the paid fire department learned it had received a $118,076 FEMA grant for operations and safety.

"The grant we applied for was to replace our turnout gear, which is the gear we wear when we go to a fire," Van Goor said Monday morning.

After ten years, accepted safety standards recommend that such gear should be replaced. In Ridgewood, much of the suits are ten years old or more, according to the fire chief.

The grant will also go toward purchasing a bailout system, which is repelling gear firefighters use if a room flashes over with fire, Van Goor said.

"For safety, it's all about making our gear safer and making the work environment safer," Van Goor said. 

Financially, the fire department has been on a winning streak with grant awards since Van Goor took over in 2010. Several , and the department has been the beneficiary of two grants that will likely lead to the .

It's likely to have an impact on the upcoming budget, one the council is trying to lower.

"We started requesting more money toward turnout gear in our capital," Van Goor told Patch, referring to the department request made in the 2012 municipal budget. "So it'll definitely take money away from that. We can use it for other things."

It remains to be seen, however, if the council will still allocate the same dollar amount given its budget crunch. Village Manager Ken Gabbert did not respond to a request for comment.

The New Jersey senators who helped reel in the grants said in a rough economy, safety can't be taken for granted.

"Tough budget times call for tough cuts and tough decisions, but one thing we must continue to fund without question are investments in training, equipment and heath programs for our first responders,” said Sen. Robert Menendez, who announced the grant awards along with fellow Democrat Sen. Frank Lautenberg.

"These federal grants will help ensure that New Jersey’s firefighters are prepared to handle emergencies and keep our communities safe," Lautenberg added.