Bill > S3542

Introduced Session

This bill establishes the "Resident Firefighter Grant Program" in the Division of Fire Safety (division) in the Department of Community Affairs (DCA). This program would provide grants to fire districts to use for the creation and expansion of resident firefighter programs. The bill defines "resident firefighter" as a firefighter who performs fire station duties including, but not limited to, attending trainings and responding to emergency calls, in exchange for free living accommodations. The bill requires the director of the division, to the extent possible, to equitably distribute grant awards to successful applicants in the northern, central, and southern regions of the State. Funds distributed under the program are required to be used for the purposes as prescribed in the bill, including, but not limited to, incentives and amenities for resident firefighters, and construction of, and supplies for, dormitories for resident firefighters which may include kitchen facilities. The bill also requires DCA to annually request, as part of its annual budget proposal, a minimum of $5 million to fund the grants authorized by the bill. The bill also requires DCA and the division to pursue and utilize any available federal, State, local, and private funding for the grants.

Committee Categories

Paul Moriarty (D)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Law and Public Safety Committee (on 09/12/2024)

Official Document