The fire district plans to develop a comprehensive health and fitness plan in an effort to decease firefighter injuries.
HAMILTON - The township's Fire District 3 has been awarded a $59,502 grant from the federal Department of Homeland Security to create a wellness initiative for firefighters, U.S. Rep. Chris Smith announced.
The fire district plans to develop a comprehensive health and fitness plan in an effort to decease firefighter injuries, Smith's office said.
The program will include fitness assessments and counseling, nutritional assessments, immunizations, age-appropriate fitness and strength-training activities, as well as mental health and stress-reduction programs.
The district operates the Rusling Hose Fire Co. and serves the South Broad Street and Broad Street Park areas area of Hamilton near the Trenton border.
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Smith, (R-4th Dist.), said he met with the district's fire chief, Tom Gribbin, in April about the grant, thought it was a great idea, and sent a letter to the head of the grant program supporting it.
"Firefighting is a physically demanding job," Smith said in a statement. "Better health and fitness will cut down on injuries and help firefighters do their job, which is basically protecting the rest of us."
The funding comes from the Homeland Security department's Assistance to Firefighters Grants' (AFG) Operations and Safety Grant Program and is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration.
Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@kevintshea. Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook.
