NHRFR Chief Frank Montagne Retires Following 39-Year Career, Falco Named Provisional Chief

Photo & Video Courtesy of LTC TV                                                                                                                                                                                                      Following a 39-year career which began in the North Bergen Fire Department, North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue Chief Frank Montagne formally retired on Friday, February 18,  A ceremony was held at the Department’s West New York Headquarters on River Road, followed by a retirement party at Redd’s Restaurant in Carlstadt.

NHRFR Co-Executive Director Michael D’Orio told Hudson TV this morning that Chief Montagne officially came off of the books today and the Department has appointed Michael Falco as Provisional Chief until the scores from the Chief’s examination are released in a few months.  At that time, a new, full time Chief will be sworn in.

Photo Credit:  NHRFR                                                                                           Falco has approximately 38 years on the job, previously working for the North Bergen Fire Department prior to the regionalization of five, municipal departments a little more than twenty years ago.  Those towns are North Bergen, West New York, Union City, Weehawken and Guttenberg.  Falco was sworn in as Deputy Chief on April 27, 2015.

Montagne’s two sons, both members of the Jersey City Fire Department, were in attendance and in uniform for their father’s retirement.  Frank Jr., is a member of Ladder Co. 11 While Anthony is assigned to Engine Co. 5.   Chief Montagne summed up his long career by saying, “Who can say, every day you go to work and enjoy what you do? I loved going to work, every day.”