BELMAR, NJ — This September, the Belmar Fire Department received a federal grant in the amount of $223,571, and the money will be used to upgrade critical firefighter breathing equipment that in some cases has become dangerously outdated.

The procurement of the federal grant was announced by Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ4), who represents Belmar in Washington, D.C.

What the money specifically will be used to purchase is new self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) equipment, which are the oxygen tanks and breathing equipment firefighters use.

The Belmar Fire Department is an all-volunteer department that delivers fire and rescue services to Belmar’s 7,600 permanent residents — a figure that can grow to more than 50,000 seasonal residents over the summer. There are 40 volunteer Belmar firefighters who make up the Union Fire Company, Goodwill Hose Company and Volunteer Hook and Ladder Fire Company.

The department has 39 complete SCBA sets "that show a lot of wear-and-tear," according to Congressman Smith, but more than a dozen are completely out of service, with 18 more nearing the end of their serviceable life by next year, due to extensive use.

The department plans to use the funds for 27 sets of SCBA. The town of Belmar will chip in a local cost share of $11,178.57 for the purchase.

“The volunteer firefighters of the Belmar Fire Department put their lives on the line every day to protect people and property in the borough and in neighboring towns when fires and other emergencies arise,” said Rep. Smith. “The self-contained breathing apparatus that will be purchased with these funds is absolutely critical to enabling firefighters to enter burning buildings and still be able to breathe."

“A special thanks to Mayor Mark Walsifer and Fire Marshal Ryan Dullea for their great work on the application, including a risk assessment, to show the need (for the new equipment)," added the Congressman.

“This is great news for both the borough of Belmar and borough of Lake Como," said Belmar Mayo Walsifer. "Thank you to Congressman Chris Smith for the continued support in our efforts, as well as all our dedicated volunteers of the Belmar Fire Department.”

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