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Warren Township fire chiefs cite staffing shortfalls, training and equipment needs after winter standby
Summary
Fire chiefs reported uneven participation during a recent snow standby, reviewed January call data and flagged equipment and certification tasks — including a state ban on AFFF foam — ahead of planned apparatus planning and training events.
Warren Township Fire Chief Russo and other department officers on Feb. 4 reviewed January call activity, training requirements and equipment problems after a winter standby exposed gaps in response coverage.
Chief Russo said the department received adequate public notice for the meeting and asked companies to ensure certifications are logged in Red Alert. "Please make sure technical rescue certs are in Red Alert," he said, and asked captains to follow up on job-performance reports distributed last month.
The meeting highlighted uneven participation during a recent snow standby. Derek Reedman, who leads drills and training, said Mt. Bethel has been covering for other companies and urged departments to poll members for ways to increase turnout. "It's not fair to the members who keep responding," Reedman said, adding that OEM is noting responses from each firehouse during storms.
Reporting officer Aram Kachidurian presented January statistics: 47 total calls, including 10 hazardous incidents, 21 false alarms and 7 delayed calls. He also provided an apparatus-by-apparatus breakdown showing Ladder 61 as the busiest unit with 23 responses.
Vehicle-maintenance concerns were raised: Charlie Boschen reported that the tanker’s mechanical siren is inoperable and recommended coordinating with Doug Buro for repairs. Communications upgrades remain on hold pending budget approval, M. LoSapio said.
On policy and interagency matters, the County Chief's Alliance continues work on FF1 certification paperwork that has delayed some members' progression. "Per the state, can't use AFFF foam due to hazardous PFOS runoff into the waterways," the alliance reported, and chiefs were warned to factor summer large-scale events into mutual-aid planning.
The chief reiterated administrative deadlines: members should enter certificates into Red Alert by Wednesday, Feb. 11; a department drill on Blood Borne Pathogens and Right to Know is scheduled for Feb. 25 at 7 p.m.; and the annual department dinner, which will include awards and a proposed hooded sweatshirts giveaway tied to a 10% participation threshold, is set for March 13.
Chief Russo also asked officers to revisit the department’s SOP/SOG and said he plans to brief the township liaison about the five-year apparatus replacement plan. The meeting adjourned at 8:32 p.m.
