Mayor Fulop to Swear in 15 new Firefighters; New Class is Tenth Hired as Administration Makes Public Safety Investments Priority
Over 200 Firefighters Hired by Mayor Fulop, Bringing Department to a Historic total of 666 Members; Tenth Class to also be fully EMT-Certified
JERSEY CITY – Mayor Steven M. Fulop and Public Safety Director James Shea will swear in 15 new firefighters to the Jersey City Fire Department at a 10 a.m. ceremony on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 inside City Hall, furthering the Administration’s efforts to increase public safety.
This latest class of firefighters to take the oath of office marks the Department’s tenth sworn class since Mayor Fulop took office. Since 2013, a total of 204 new firefighters have been hired, bringing the department to a historic total of 666 uniformed firefighters and superiors.
“Every time we welcome a graduating class to the JCFD, we’re furthering our overall goal of increasing public safety by providing the best fire protection possible,” said Mayor Fulop. “Our fire department responds to 1,300 fires a year, which is why these 15 recruits have gone through the rigorous training necessary to be a part of the best fire department this City has ever seen, and I congratulate them on their hard work to get to this graduation today.”
The additional firefighters have filled the department gaps inherited by Mayor Fulop in 2013 when an average of 4 firehouses were put off duty every shift due to inadequate staffing levels, ultimately putting the lives of Jersey City residents at risk. Since the Administration made it a priority to focus efforts on fixing the issue, to date, every single firehouse is fully staffed and providing the necessary, and often lifesaving, response coverage citywide 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
“Under the Mayor’s direction, we made it a priority to expand the fire department, and as a result we’re reaching historic levels this City hasn’t seen in several decades,” said Director Shea. “In addition to today’s graduates, we also have another class of 42 recruits graduating the academy this spring.”
After five months of academy training, the new class is now the tenth to complete an additional 3-month EMT certification course partially funded through a federal SAFER grant, and are all fully EMT-certified.