NJ firefighters get $10K grant from Port Authority

By John A. Gavin
The Herald News

HASBROUCK HEIGHTS, N.J. — Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno on Monday presented a $10,000 grant to benefit the borough's Fire Department, a unit that assists the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey during emergencies.

In a presentation outside the fire station, Guadagno paid tribute to all uniformed first responders.

"They have courage," Guadagno said before about 50 people, including members of the Junior Police Academy. "They have courage to run into burning buildings. They have courage to pull over cars not knowing what they were going to find when they pull those cars over. Those people — the first responders, the firemen, EMTs, and police officers — that's what today is all about."

The money comes from a fund set up by the Port Authority and was the sixth of $135,000 in grants to be awarded to 13 fire departments and other first responders in New Jersey.

Bill Baroni, the Port Authority's deputy executive director, praised the small borough's valiant efforts to keep tragedy from occurring at nearby Teterboro Airport.

"Time and time again, Hasbrouck Heights has assisted the Port Authority in emergency calls," said Baroni, a former state senator. "It has no greater partner."

Baroni also noted that the award coincides with the agency's 90th anniversary.

Fire Chief Kevin Todd, a 25-year veteran, said the 58-member department has assisted in a variety of incidents, including aircraft crashes after landing-gear malfunctions and blazes at the airport hangers.

In an agreement in which it has committed to assisting the Port Authority during emergencies, the borough's police, fire and rescue squads typically respond when needed at the George Washington Bridge and Lincoln Tunnel.

Grant rules stipulate that municipalities use the funds to purchase public safety equipment or upgrade facilities. The department plans to use the funds to purchase various hand tools and other equipment, Todd said.

In the brief ceremony, where a symbolic check as well as a bank draft, was presented, Baroni joked that mayors in some towns have looked at the bank draft to make sure it was real.

Mayor Rose Heck, who wrote a letter requesting the funds, and once worked with Baroni in the state Assembly, said it wasn't a concern.

"I had no doubt," Heck said, before a chorus of laughs.

The lieutenant governor has previously presented checks to benefit first responders in Linden, Woodbridge, Cedar Grove, South River and Perth Amboy.

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