| New Jersey Firefighter Information |
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Unthinkable events have unfolded recently affecting people in our industry, our community and our world. It is a time of great suffering, loss and uncertainty for all of
us in America. Our hearts, prayers and thoughts are with all of the victims and their families. United We Stand!
Emergency Services Personnel ... Get Dial-Up Internet Access @ $11.95 per Month! Click HERE for Details!
If you care to donate to any of the following charities, please click it!
Application Period For FIRE Grants Begins March 1; Online System Will Make It Easier
When it comes to applying for FIRE Grants in 2002, there will be some changes, but one thing definitely won?t change. Fire service personnel who tap the Web for information on the program will again have the edge when the Federal Emergency Management Agency doles out $360 million available for fire department grants this year. You?ll also benefit from interactive online applications designed to guide you every step of the way.
Unconfirmed FBI Warning of Use of Emergency Vehicles in Terrorist Attacks and Bombing Activities
Many of you have read about this already, and it is an unconfirmed warning. I would like to take this opportunity though to stress the importance of SECURITY! Just because it is unconfirmed, doesn't mean it cannot happen. Keep track of your equipment and your surroundings. We unfortunately can no longer take things for granted, and must start to be aware of who, what, where, when and why. My gut says that we are not out of the woods yet, but I don't have a crystal ball to point out where or when the next problem will occur. My hopes are with our US Military and Allied Forces to bring terror to the Terrorists, and end this nightmare of maniacs.
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News Flash!!!
Are you keeping up with the requirements to fight fires in New Jersey? The Division of Fire Safety has started doing Department Inspections. They are specifically looking for those holding Officer (Supervisory) positions who do not hold The Incident Management System Level I Certification from The NJ Division of Fire Safety. The fines are $500.00 for each individual not holding the cert, plus $100.00 per call answered by that individual since February 17, 2000. Check your Training Records!
The Division has another Complaint!!!
The compliance for reporting incidents to the Division of Fire Safety turns out to be marginal compaired to their expectations. It is unknown as to what action they will take if this continues, but I seriously doubt they will jeopardize our (as-well-as public) safety by reclaiming the cameras. I would bet they would try to levy fines for the cost of the units for non-compliance.
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This web page is designed for the fellow Firefighters in the Great State of New Jersey (as well as those of you elsewhere) who may need to find links and information concering the fire service. I don't promise to have everything here, but I will post as often as possible!
I am an Ex-Chief of the Mount Holly Fire Department, Mount Holly, NJ. I have recently moved to Florida, but I haven't forgotten that there are many Departments undergoing changes nationwide, as the Volunteer service turns to be more of a business of customer service, leaving behind the old "Social Club" type atmospheres.
Training is the key! Most individuals these days are too busy with families and employment, and don't have the spare time required to do the training that is necessary to continue in the volunteer services. Volunteerism is dwindling. This state has several programs in mind to include tax credits for volunteers, but most will never become law because there will be nobody to supervise this system (in other words, everyone will be a Firefighter). Most of the "old Joes' " of the fire service resent the requirements that many States and Federal mandates have imposed on our services.
Contrary to what the "old Joes' " believe, these requirements, for the most part, are needed in the Volunteer Fire Service. These mandates and periodic training requirements keep the firefighters aware of the hazards of this duty. It also keeps a minimum baseline of qualification to engage the rigors of firefighting, so that your buddy should have an understanding of the task at hand and how to accomplish that task. The minimum requirements for a firefighter in the State of New Jersey to ride any apparatus to an incident are as follows:
1. Firefighter I, from NJ Division of Fire Safety
2. Hazardous Materials Awareness (with yearly refresher)
3. Incident Management System I100 (Basic IMS)
4. Bloodborne Pathogens Training (with yearly refresher)
5. Right-to-Know Training (with yearly refresher)
6. Interior Firefighters must perform SCBA (re)certification and be fit tested.
A. Per NJ PEOSH, Respiratory Fit Test is to be done annually for those persons who may enter the IDLH. For our Department, this includes Drivers of apparatus. The IDLH may be a chemical release or gas, or even a wind direction change on a house fire or other incident that would require the apparatus to be in the IDLH.
B. It is the responsibilty of the employer, whether it be a company, township, fire district etc. to pay for these fit tests and outfit their personnel with the proper size mask.
C. It is recommended that you have enough air packs for everyone on the apparatus, including the driver, and be cautious when your department allows unqualified personnel or junior members to ride the apparatus.
To be a Line Officer "Supervisory Role", additional requirements are set forth. These include:
1. Hazardous Materials Operational (Chief Officer)
2. Incident Management System I200 (with Level I certification from NJ Division of Fire Safety)
3. Minimum three (3) years as a firefighter.
A. This makes the minimum age of 21 to qualify as an officer "supervisor"
B. Junior membership time cannot count toward this 3 year period.
Those are the baseline requirements. But your Department, if like mine, may require further training. These include:
1. Hazardous Materials Awareness & Operational for all Firefighters and Fire Police.
2. Driver/Operators take an Emergency Vehicle Operations Safety Course, and a Pump Operators Training Course through our County Academy.
3. Officer positions have additional training and course requirements.
I will be including on additional pages of this site, links to valuable information I have found while surfing and searching the web. I hope this site is helpful. If you have a link that would benefit this site, please Contact Us! Indicate whether or not you wish credit reflected for the information.
Since May 1, 2000
Last Update September 22, 2004
