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How do we protect over 47,000 residents in a 7.4 square mile area that encompasses both Montclair and Glen Ridge?  Let’s explore how it’s done!

Stop in sometime, we would love to show you what is available at all times to serve and protect you!  Kids are welcome too!

Staffing

Fire Suppression: Each and every day, there are between 16 and 20 assigned career firefighters and officers on-duty to protect you and handle all requests for service.  These personnel are charged with:

 fire suppression and mitigation,

 rescue operations involving trench & building collapse, as well as confined space

 vehicle extrication

 assisting other emergency services (Police, MVAU, etc) as needed general service calls  (auto / home lock-out, water problem, etc).

 assurance calls (not sure who to call, so we go to assist!)

Fire Prevention: Additional personnel operate within the Fire Prevention Bureau, who are charged with performing inspections, enforcing the fire code, assisting homeowners with required installations of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and more.  Fire Prevention personnel also perform all fire & arson investigations.

Apparatus

To handle all our assignments, we operate the following apparatus:

Battalion Chief:  The Battalion Chief is the shift commander, and is in charge of all incidents.  The Battalion Chief supervises five companies: 3 engines and 2 ladders.

Engine Company:  There are three Engine Companies, each comprised of an Officer and  two or three firefighters.  The main function of the Engine Company is to get water onto all fires – these apparatus carry lots of hoses to accomplish this.  The Engine Companies also carry an assortment of vehicle extrication tools.  Other equipment includes material to clean fluid spills (for minor leaks) and foam agents to handle flammable liquid fires.

Ladder Companies: There are two Ladder Companies, more commonly known as Truck Companies, each comprised of an Officer and two or three firefighters.  The main function of the Truck Company is to provide immediate search & rescue of any possible trapped occupants in a fire. The Truck Company must also provide ventilation (making openings in the building to allow superheated gases to escape, which allows the Engine Company to charge deeper in their battle with the fire).  Truck companies are equipped with ladders, saws, hand and power tools, air bags, lighting equipment, ropes, rigging (rescue and search) and harnesses.