The Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus is proud to announce that it has secured more than $1.25 million in federal funding to replace aging equipment essential to lifesaving fire and rescue operations for the Ho-Ho-Kus Volunteer Fire Department (HHKFD). This includes a $975,000 award toward the cost of the Borough’s new Rescue Engine through the FY26 Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) cycle, as well as a separate $276,190.47 award through the FEMA FY2024 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program, awarded in September, to fund new self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) units.
The Rescue Engine funding was included in the FY26 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, sponsored by House Appropriations Chairman Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK-4). The bill advanced through Congress and was signed into law by the President on November 12, 2025.
The Borough submitted the Rescue Engine proposal to Congressman Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-5) in April. Congressman Gottheimer sponsored the request and advanced it through the House Appropriations Committee, securing a highly competitive federal award for Ho-Ho-Kus from an applicant pool spanning thousands of municipalities and nonprofit organizations nationwide.
Mayor Thomas Randall emphasized the significance of this federal support, noting that “our volunteer firefighters serve this community with extraordinary dedication, and these grants ensure they have modern, lifesaving equipment to do their jobs safely and effectively. We are deeply grateful to Congressman Gottheimer for sponsoring our request and championing it through the appropriations process. This is a major win for public safety and for the long-term resilience of our town.”
The new Rescue Engine will enhance the department’s ability to respond to vehicle extrications, technical rescues, and fire incidents. Council Member Steve Shell, who serves as Fire Commissioner, noted that “The Borough is committed to equipping our volunteer firefighters with the safest, most state-of-the-art equipment so they can perform their duties professionally and continue to serve and protect our residents. We are grateful for the federal partnership that makes these essential investments possible.”
While the grant provides significant funding toward the new Rescue Engine, additional funding will still be required, and nationwide demand places delivery on a multi-year timeline. To ensure steady progress, the HHKFD has formed an Apparatus Committee to begin planning the new engine. Chief Don Seltmann stated: “We are incredibly grateful for these generous grant awards. Ensuring the health, safety and operational readiness of our firefighters is a top priority. This funding is a true lifeline to our department and the SCBA units and Rescue Engine will play a critical role in ensuring the safety of our firefighters and community for many years to come.”
The $276,190.47 FEMA FY2024 AFG will replace the department’s aging SCBA inventory with 29 new NFPA-compliant units that provide essential respiratory protection in environments that are immediately dangerous to life and health.
These grants reflect the sustained collaboration between the Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus Mayor and Council, the Ho-Ho-Kus Volunteer Fire Department, and Bruno Associates, Inc. of Clifton, NJ, whose work was instrumental in securing this federal support.