First Hope Bank has announced the successful distribution of $50,000 in grant funding to 12 fire and rescue organizations across northwest New Jersey. The initiative, facilitated through a partnership with the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (FHLBNY), aims to provide immediate relief to local departments facing a challenging combination of rising operational costs and a surge in service calls.
Rather than hosting a formal ceremony, bank leadership chose a more personal approach, visiting each of the 12 departments individually to deliver the checks and offer face-to-face gratitude to the volunteers.
The grants are designed to be flexible, allowing local fire companies and rescue squads to address their most pressing needs—from purchasing life-saving equipment and turnout gear to funding specialized training programs.
“Our local fire and rescue organizations provide an essential service, often with limited resources,” Dan Beatty, president and CEO of First Hope Bank said. “Taking the time to visit each organization in person allowed us to express our gratitude and reinforce our support for the vital work they do every day.”
- The $50,000 in funding was divided among a diverse group of first responder units across the region, reflecting First Hope Bank’s broad service footprint in Sussex and Warren counties:
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Knowlton Township Fire and Rescue Company
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Hampton Township Fire and Rescue
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Blairstown Hose Company #1
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Franklin Fire Company #1
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Frelinghuysen Volunteer Fire Company
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Sussex Fire Department
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Hope Volunteer Fire Company
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Mt. Lake Fire Company
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Hackettstown Fire Department
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Andover Township Fire Department
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Independence Township Volunteer Fire Department
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Sparta Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary
Established in 1911, First Hope Bank has long emphasized its role as a “community reinvestment” partner. By leveraging the FHLBNY grant program, the bank is able to bridge the gap between large-scale financial resources and the hyper-local needs of volunteer-based emergency services.
For many of these departments, which rely heavily on community fundraising and municipal budgets that are increasingly “tight,” a direct grant of this size can accelerate the replacement of aging infrastructure or the acquisition of new technology, such as thermal imaging cameras or advanced communication radios.
The Federal Home Loan Bank of New York provides its member institutions—like First Hope Bank—with specialized grants intended to support community development and public safety. These programs are particularly vital for rural and suburban departments where volunteerism is high but capital for expensive firefighting apparatus can be difficult to secure.
