WASHINGTON, DC – Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) today announced the Senate approved the final version of the FY 2010 Homeland Security Appropriations Act, which includes more than $8 million for specific projects to train and equip New Jersey’s first responders, build and outfit emergency operations centers and develop new weapons detection systems. The legislation next heads to the White House for the President’s signature.
 
    “This measure will help ensure that New Jersey’s first responders are best prepared to respond to emergency situations,” stated Senator Lautenberg, a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security.  “Investing in emergency communications, training and technology will enhance safety and security in our communities and save lives.”  

    The $8,097,000 in new federal funding would include:
 
Township of South Orange

• $247,000 to replace the emergency generator in South Orange’s Crest Drive Firehouse. 

City of Hackensack

• $300,000 to build a police training and emergency services facility at the base of Johnson Park and to build a boat ramp for better emergency access to communities on the Hackensack River and on the west side of the city. 

Union County

• $500,000 to upgrade emergency operations equipment.

Township of Irvington

• $750,000 to build an Emergency Operations Center and homeland security training facility for local, county and regional use.  

City of Newark

• $1,000,000 to purchase and install interoperability equipment for the new emergency operations center. 

City of Trenton

• $300,000 to prevent flood damage at the water filtration plant.

Atlantic City Transportation Security Laboratory (TSL)

• $5,000,000 for infrastructure upgrades to the Transportation Security Laboratory in the William J. Hughes Technical Center. The Transportation Security Laboratory is a science and engineering laboratory that enhances and accelerates the development of new technologies to detect weapons and explosives.

    In July, Lautenberg prevailed against Senator John McCain’s (R-AZ) effort to remove $900,000 of this funding for New Jersey’s first responders, ensuring critical resources for three EOCs in Union County, Hackensack and South Orange.
 
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