The Fire Management Assistance Grant Program Provides Reimbursement of Wildfire Emergency Response Costs

TRENTON - Acting Governor Tahesha Way on April 25th, announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded New Jersey a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG). This funding will directly support the Jones Road Wildfire response and recovery efforts in Ocean County. The Fire Management Assistance Grant Program is available to states, local, and tribal governments to mitigate, manage, and control fires on publicly or privately owned forests or grasslands, threatening such destruction as a major disaster.

“The Jones Road Wildfire in Ocean County is estimated to have burned over 15,000 acres and continues to burn with 60 percent containment,” said Acting Governor Tahesha Way. “As our first responders attend to the fire, we are grateful to receive help from FEMA with the approval of the FMAG. This grant will ensure we are able to respond as quickly and capably as possible to reach full containment and recover in the aftermath of the fire.”

"I'm thankful that FEMA has approved our FMAG request. This support is vital to help us respond to and recover quickly from the Jones Road Wildfire and will effectively help us protect lives, homes, and communities," said New Jersey State Police Superintendent and State Director of Emergency Management Colonel Patrick J. Callahan. “The FMAG also helps equip our heroic firefighters and first responders working tirelessly on the front lines. I'm grateful for our whole community partnership that enhances our capabilities and resilience during critical events."

"This FMAG to New Jersey helps the state respond to the Jones Road Wildfire," said Andrew D'Amora, Acting Region 2 Administrator. "FMAGs are made available by FEMA to assist in fighting fires that threaten to cause a major disaster. It will help cover eligible costs, like expenses for field camps, equipment use, materials, supplies and mobilization and demobilization activities attributed to fighting the fire. These grants do not provide assistance to individual home or business owners and do not cover other infrastructure damage caused by the fire. We remain in close contact with the state and will continue to prioritize building local and state capacities.”

“I wish to thank Senator Kim on behalf of the DEP’s Forest Fire Service and the many state and local agencies that responded to the Jones Road wildfire," said New Jersey Environmental Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette. “As devastating as this wildfire was, the heroic efforts of the Forest Fire Service and our many partners on the ground protected many thousands of lives and averted what could have been extensive loss of property. This wildfire, the most significant to impact the state in many years, serves as a powerful reminder of the importance or partnerships across all levels of government – from federal agencies to state agencies and down to the local first responders who work tirelessly to protect their communities.”

“As I walked around the areas scorched by the fire, I wanted to ensure our brave firefighters and first responders had everything possible to help contain this disaster,” said Senator Andy Kim. “As Ranking Member of the Senate subcommittee that oversees FEMA, I’m grateful to be able to help bring federal support to help our state during a time of critical need.”

For additional information about the Fire Management Assistance Grant Program (FMAG), visit https://www.fema.gov/assistance/public/fire-management-assistance.