JCFD Reaches Historic Level With Swearing In of 23 New Firefighters

Mayor Fulop Swears in 23 new Firefighters, Bringing Jersey City’s Fire Department to Historic Highest Level of over 700 Members

Over 320 Firefighters Hired by Mayor Fulop to date, Furthering Public Safety Investments

 JERSEY CITY – Mayor Steven M. Fulop joined Department of Public Safety officials and Fire Chief Steven McGill this morning to swear in 23 new firefighters to the Jersey City Fire Department during a ceremony inside City Hall Council Chambers.  This latest class brings the Jersey City Fire Department (JCFD) to a historic total of over 700 firefighters and superiors, further increasing public safety throughout the community.

“We hold our firefighters in high regard for their bravery, running towards fires while most people run away from the danger, and our firefighters here in Jersey City respond to nearly 14,000 calls for emergencies every year. So, today I congratulate our newest 23 firefighters who are joining the best fire department in New Jersey, and I want to thank all of the over 700 firefighters for their service and commitment to keeping our community safe as we continue to increase public safety citywide,” said Mayor Fulop.

As a result of the administration’s diversity recruitment efforts, half of the new class represents minority populations.

The additional firefighters have filled the department gaps inherited by Mayor Fulop in 2013 when an average of four firehouses were put off duty every shift due to inadequate staffing levels.  Since the Fulop Administration made fixing this issue a priority, every firehouse is currently fully staffed and providing the necessary, and often lifesaving, response coverage citywide 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“These newest graduates should be proud to join a world-class department that goes beyond emergency response to include vital community services from teaching fire safety to our youth to providing proactive fire protection, including our free carbon dioxide and smoke detectors installation program,” said Director Shea.  “While residents hope never to have to call upon our fire department for an emergency, if they do, they can be assured they are getting the best protection from our highly-skilled firefighters.”