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NJ Firefighters Helping Peers Impacted By Superstorm Sandy

LITTLE FERRY, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- New Jersey firefighters are helping colleagues affected by Superstorm Sandy.

The Firefighter-to-Firefighter Assistance Program anonymously matches firefighters who help in rebuilding with other firefighters.

Firefighters will be able to tap into a network of people who have experience with trades such as plumbing and roofing or can help with tasks including shoveling and demolition.

NJ Firefighters Helping Peers Impacted By Superstorm Sandy

The firefighters will be matched through the New Jersey Division of Firefighter Safety.

Volunteer firefighter Lorenzo Migale was among those who came to the rescue of residents during Hurricane Sandy. He helped to rescue 2,000 people from Sandy's rising waters while his own Little Ferry home was flooding.

"It's very difficult. When you're not home and you know your house is being damaged, but you made a commitment to help the community first," Migale told 1010 WINS' Steve Sandberg.

Like the borough, he and his family are struggling to get back on their feet and is grateful for the program.

Gov. Chris Christie announced the program Wednesday at a fire house in Little Ferry that sustained substantial damage from the storm.

Christie said firefighters from Little Ferry, Seaside Park and other communities have already taken advantage of the program.

Christie said the program is a way to help first responders who put "their own needs behind the needs of others."

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(TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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