Hoboken, NJ – In a historic ceremony on Monday, nine new firefighters were sworn into the Hoboken Fire Department, marking a significant moment for the community. The event was doubly significant as it included the induction of two women, raising the number of female firefighters in the department to six.
The ceremony took place in the Hoboken council chambers, attended by family, friends, and key city officials. City clerk Jimmy Farina announced that the new recruits had successfully graduated from the Bergen County Fire Academy just last Friday. These nine firefighters will fill positions left vacant by retirements that occurred between January and March of this year.
“It’s the first time in decades that our firefighter force has grown to over 120 members,” said the Mayor. “With the mentorship of our captains and senior firefighters, I’m confident these new recruits will serve our city well, day in and day out.”
Joe Quintero, Hoboken Councilman and Chairman of the Public Safety Committee, emphasized the importance of a strong public safety foundation for the city. “All the good things we have in the city really rest on our public safety infrastructure,” he said.
Among the new recruits is Nicole Barron, one of the two women sworn in. Inspired by her sister, the third female firefighter in the department’s history, Barron said, “It’s really important for me to finally join the fire department, and I’m really excited about it.”
The ceremony was especially poignant for one recruit who grew up hearing stories of his uncle, a New York firefighter who tragically lost his life in the 9/11 attacks. “Wear that badge proudly. We’re here to support you at both city and county levels,” a city official declared.
The nine firefighters will undergo two weeks of in-service training before joining one of the four groups operating in Hoboken, a city continually expanding and aiming to meet the needs of its residents.