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History |
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Commencing on January 11, 1999, the greatest undertaking in the extensive and tradition-rich history of the New Jersey fire service was launched. In order to provide a safer, more efficient fire response to the citizens of Northern Hudson County, the former fire departments of the municipalities of North Bergen, Union City, Weehawken, West New York, and Guttenberg merged fire service personnel, apparatus, equipment, and firehouses. Thus, North Hudson Regional Fire & Rescue was born. The communities served by North Hudson Regional Fire & Rescue are located directly across the Hudson River from the New York City borough of Manhattan, running from the Southernmost borders where Union City and North Bergen meet Jersey City to the Northern borders which touch Southeast Bergen County. The regional response area also covers, from East to West respectively, the Hudson River, including the Lincoln Tunnel to the community of Secaucus and the New Jersey Meadowlands. Divided into three battalions and spread across the jurisdictional boundaries of the aforementioned five communities, North Hudson Regional Fire & Rescue provides quality fire service to the most densely populated communities in the United States. In an area rich with both architectural and cultural diversity, this regionalization of fire services has set the bar for a more cooperative and global approach to emergency service, leading the way into the new millennium.
1999 Jan 11 NHRFR begins regional operation 4 Engines, 2 ladders respond to all reported fires 2 Chief Officers respond to all reported fires Engine and Ladder Company Initial Scene Assignment Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) issued Training Division created Feb Mandatory Mask Rule, SCBA SOP issued April NFPA 1500 Health and Safety Program implemented Enhanced Mask Fit Testing equipment received, program implemented May Incident Management System SOP adopted 2000 April 4 dedicated Incident Safety Officer/ Health and Safety Officer positions created Safety Officer response to all working fires Mask Service Unit (MSU) placed in service. Safety Officer responds in MSU Chief of Rescue Services position created and assigned Rescue 1 created, respond as Ladder 1 until new Rescue apparatus delivered Rescue Task Force created: Rescue 1, Ladders 3 and 4, Squads 1 and 10 July Accountability System in place ( MAC Card system) Sept Thermal Imaging Cameras issued to NHRFR companies Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system implemented Oct Gemtor safety harnesses issued to all Ladder company personnel 2001 Jan Radio Communications / Mayday SOP issued March Health and Safety Committee created April E8 re-designated as Squad 1 Awards committee created Aug Recuperation and Care Unit (RAC) in service Sept. 11 NHRFR coordinates evacuation from NYC via ferry after terrorist attacks Sept. 12-14 NHRFR personnel operate at Ground Zero, assisting in search and recovery operation Nov Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC) SOP and implementation, responds on all working fires 2002 April Marine Division created, Squad 1 operates as Marine Company Public Education Division begins programs delivery to schools, high-rises, senior citizens, and special events June Chief of Safety and Health Services position created and assigned Planning and Support Division created July Enhanced response begins: 5th Engine on confirmed working fire Sept 4 Command Tech positions created Command Tech responds in MSU with Safety 1 to all working fires Ladder 2 moves to 29th and Central, creating double house with Engine 4 Engine 3 moves to 19th and Willow Avenue Safety 1 and Command Tech move to Jane St. quarters Delivery of new Rescue 1 Delivery of new Ladder 4 Dec Hazardous Vacant Building (HVB) Marking System in place 2003 March Probationary Firefighter Training Program created Accountability system revised to comply with NJ Division of Fire Safety Knox Box pass-key Program implemented April Community Relations Division created May High Rise SOP and High Rise Command Kit issued Chief of Disaster Planning position created and assigned Chief of Staff position created and assigned July Chief of Ceremony & Protocol position created and assigned Sept Building Inspection Program implemented Delivery of new Battalion 2 and battalion 3 vehicles Oct Fire Safety Trailer delivered Water rescue equipment issued to Engine 10 Nov Chief of Hazardous Materials position created and assigned 2004 Feb Engine 10 re-designated as Squad 10 Chief of Infrastructure Planning position created and assigned March Marine Division takes delivery of new fire boat, Marine 1 Engine 3 is designated as Marine company, backed up by Squad 1 Engine 2 re-designated as Squad 2 April Foam Companies designated: E4, E6, E11 May Rescue Support Unit fully equipped Sept Juvenile Fire Watch Program instituted |
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NORTH HUDSON REGIONAL FIRE & RESCUE |
