Hillside Fire Department Gets $1.6 Million for Ladder Truck

HILLSIDE, NJ — A new ladder truck will be on the way to the Hillside Fire Department, which township leaders say will be used to keep the community safe.Rep. LaMonica McIver, who represents District 10, which includes Hillside, presented town leaders with a check for $1.6 million on Tuesday. The money will be used to purchase the truck.Mayor Andrea Hyatt and Fire Chief Rashawn Carey accepted the check on behalf of the township. Hillside Council President Angela Garretson and Council Members Calvin Lofton and George Cook also attended.Hyatt called the presentation “a powerful reminder of what leadership looks like when it is rooted in purpose, advocacy, and results."Congresswoman, your presence here is more than ceremonial. It is a reflection of your unwavering commitment to ensuring that communities like ours are strengthened and supported," Hyatt said. “This $1.6 million investment is not just funding; it is a tangible representation of protection, preparedness, and peace of mind.”Township leaders recalled a devastating fire on Maple Avenue in Hillside last year that destroyed six businesses and displaced more than 25 individuals.For township leaders, the check will help first responders be there for the community and be prepared.“This investment ensures we are better prepared, better equipped, and better protected moving forward,” Hyatt said. "It strengthens not only Hillside, but also the surrounding communities that rely on our mutual aid." “I want to say thank you to my favorite congressperson, my Congresswoman LaMonica Mclver who secured a $1.6 million grant for the purchase of a new ladder truck for Hillside!” Cook said on his social media page. “It means a lot to have someone in congress looking out for our little town.”