Congresswoman Pou Secures Over $2 Million to Hire More Clifton Firefighters

September 29, 2026 Press Release PATERSON, NJ – Congresswoman Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09) today announced that she helped secure a $2,139,724.80 federal Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant for the Clifton Fire Department. Awarded through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the funding will allow the department to hire additional firefighters. “Clifton’s firefighters put themselves in harm’s way seven days a week. They deserve to have the people they need beside them when the alarm sounds,” said Congresswoman Pou . “I am proud to help bring more than $2.1 million home to Clifton to put additional firefighters on the job. More firefighters mean a stronger department and more support for the men and women already serving on the front lines. I will always fight to make sure our local fire departments have the federal money they need to protect our communities and bring their firefighters home safely.” “As a vibrant, growing community, Clifton’s fire heroes need every dollar of federal resources to do their jobs. Thanks to this federal funding secured by Congresswoman Pou, Clifton will be able to hire more firefighters and protect our residents when the worst strikes,” said Clifton Mayor Ray Grabowski . Congress created the SAFER program in 2003 to address staffing shortages at fire departments across America. While existing federal fire grants largely helped departments purchase equipment and improve training, SAFER was designed specifically to help communities put more firefighters on the job and ensure departments have adequate personnel to respond to emergencies. Earlier this year, Congresswoman Pou sent a letter to the leaders of the House Appropriations Committee requesting increased funding for the SAFER program. SAFER was created through the efforts of the late Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr., who was also the longtime head of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus. Administered by FEMA, SAFER supports two primary activities: hiring additional career firefighters and recruiting and retaining volunteer firefighters. Over 20 years, the program has provided billions of dollars to fire departments across America. ###