Council commends emergency responders for rapid response to April helicopter crash

The Jersey City Municipal Council voted unanimously Tuesday to adopt Resolution 25‑334 commending the city’s Office of Emergency Management, Police Department and Fire Department for their coordinated response to the April 10 helicopter crash.

Councilmember Yousef Solomon read the resolution into the record and the council took an affirmative voice vote, 9‑0, to approve. The resolution names the National Transportation Safety Board, New York City Police Department, New York Fire Department and the Port Authority among outside agencies that assisted in the response and commends Director Walter Kearse and his staff for coordinating resources.

Councilmembers praised the leadership and rapid deployment of first responders. "We have some of the best emergency response teams here in Jersey City," Councilmember Joyce Ridley said while voting to approve the resolution. Councilmember Richard Boggiano added, "I wanna say we probably have the number one police department and fire department in the entire state of New Jersey." Several speakers singled out Director Kearse and on‑scene incident commanders for their coordination.

Director Kearse accepted the council’s thanks and listed staff involved in the response, including Deputy Chief Lauren Hart and Deputy Martin Valente, and thanked Jersey City Police and Fire for their work. "April 10 was a tragic day, with the loss of six people," Kearse said. "But it gave us the opportunity to show just what we can do." The council arranged for a brief presentation and photograph with responders after the vote.