Warren Township fire officers press for training, gear checks after busy April and system gaps

Warren Township Volunteer Fire Department leaders met May 6 to review April call activity, training compliance and apparatus readiness ahead of a busy summer event schedule. Chief Russo led a discussion prompted by recent calls and communications problems during a King George fire.

Aram Kachidurian, reporting on incident data, said the department logged 51 calls in April, including five fires, nine hazardous incidents and 21 false alarms. He said many incident reports remain overdue in the Red Alert system and that IT access to the department server is the primary obstacle to finishing NIFRS reporting; he said he will email a list of personnel who need to close pre-2026 reports.

Derek Reedman, who presented the drills and operations updates, said turnout at recent department drills was low and emphasized several upcoming training and certification items. He announced a May 27 drafting drill for Engine 2 and/or Engine 4, encouraged members to sign up for the RIT challenge exam at the Union County facility and said members must enter certifications in Red Alert. "Thirty people have not taken BBP; you must take Blood Borne Pathogens by May 13 or your gear will be pulled," Reedman said.

Reedman also urged driver and pumping training as warmer weather approaches and asked companies to review available on-scene rehabilitation resources. He said Atlantic Ambulance is prompt for transport but Warren EMS currently handles rehab and that Rescue apparatus carries water as backup.

Charlie Boschen reported on vehicle maintenance, saying the ladder truck would be sent out Monday for repair and expected back by the end of the week; he noted a three-month preventive-maintenance wait list with Warren Township on that list. Boschen also reported Engine 2 has an air leak and an A/C issue and asked companies to coordinate when apparatus are out of service.

Sgt. Task of the police department described recent CAD integration for FD units and said timer stamps on units had been adjusted. He asked certain police personnel to remain quiet at incident scenes to allow first responders and dispatch to prioritize calls and requested that police avoid parking at hydrants to reduce conflicts during responses.

Chief Russo closed the operational discussion with a staff reminder about annual requirements—CPR, BBP, driver recertification, physicals and live-burn exercises—and asked members to keep attending calls as the department prepares for high-visibility events.

The meeting also covered recruitment outreach, a web-based command board demo and logistics for planned public events. The meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.