Paterson Fire Department
| Paterson Fire Department (PFD) | |
|---|---|
| "Paterson's Bravest" | |
| Operational area | |
| Country | United States |
| State |
 New Jersey |
| City | Paterson |
| Agency overview | |
| Established | November 15, 1895 (Founded 1815) |
| Annual calls | 45,223 (2010) |
| Employees | ~320 |
| Staffing | Career |
| Fire chief | Michael Postorino |
| Commissioner | Glenn Brown (Director) |
| EMS level | BLS |
| Facilities and equipment | |
| Divisions | 1 |
| Battalions | 3 |
| Stations | 7 |
| Engines | 7 |
| Rescues | 1 |
| Ambulances | 6 BLS |
| USAR | 1 |
The Paterson Fire Department (PFD) provides fire protection and emergency medical services to the city of Paterson, New Jersey, United States.[1]
History
The Paterson Volunteer Fire Department was established in 1815 with the establishment of Passaic Engine Company One, named after the Great Falls (Passaic River), a local city landmark. The department eventually reached a size of three Hook & Ladder companies, three Hose companies, and nine Engine companies.
With the introduction of horse drawn apparatus, someone was needed to care for the horses. On May 1, 1884, William H. Whittaker was appointed as Driver of Passaic Engine Co. 1, thus introducing the Paterson Fire Department as a Part-Time paid department.
During May 1888, the Department elected it first Chief, David Turnbull. The department became fully paid on November 15, 1895.
Organization
The Paterson Fire Department is currently subdivided into 4 Divisions: Fire Division, EMS Division, Training Division, and Fire Prevention Division. Each Division is commanded by a Deputy Chief per shift.
Operations
Fire Division
The Paterson Fire Department currently operates out of 7 Fire Stations, located throughout the city in 3 Battalions, under the command of 3 Battalion Chiefs and 1 Deputy Chief/Tour Commander per shift.
The Paterson Fire Department's Administrative Headquarters is located at 850 Madison Ave.
Also under the command of the fire division are the PFD's Combustible Bureau and the Communications Bureau, or dispatch center.
EMS Division
The Paterson Fire Department currently operates 6 Basic life support (BLS) Ambulances throughout the city. Since 1970, the Paterson Fire Department has operated the city's Emergency Medical Service. Each ambulance is currently staffed 24 hours a day/7 days a week by Paterson Firefighters who are New Jersey Certified Emergency Medical Technicians. Recently the department has added automatic defibrillators for use against heart attacks.
Apparatus Profile (2014)
Frontline Fire Companies
- 7 Engine Companies (E1, E2, E3, E4, E5, E6, E7)
- 2 Ladder Company (L3)
- 1 Tower Ladder Companies (TL1, TL2)
- 1 Rescue Company (R2)
Medic Units
- 6 Ambulances (A91, A92, A93, A94, A95, A96)
Command Units and Chiefs
- 3 Battalion Chief's Units (B1, B2, B3)
- 1 Deputy Chief's/Tour Commander's Unit (D1)
Special and Support Units
- 1 UASI/Special Operations Unit (R1)
- 1 Mobile Command Unit
- 1 Air Cascade Unit
- 1 Arson Investigation Unit (AI68)
Fire Station Locations and Apparatus
Below is a complete listing of all fire station and apparatus locations in the city of Paterson according to Battalion.
| Engine company | Ladder company | Ambulance | Special unit | Chief | Battalion | Address | Neighborhood |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine 1 | Ladder 1 | Ambulance 91 | Air Cascade Unit, Mobile Command Unit | Deputy 1 | 2 | 850 Madison Ave. | Eastside |
| Engine 2 | Ambulance 92 | 3 | 221 Union Ave. | Hillcrest | |||
| Engine 3 | Ambulance 93 | Arson Investigator 68 | 1 | 127 Trenton Ave. | Lakeview | ||
| Engine 4 | Ladder 2 | Ambulance 94 | Communications Trailer | Battalion 3 | 3 | 48 Temple St. | North Side |
| Engine 5 | Ladder 3 | Ambulance 95 | Battalion 2 | 2 | 236 Lafayette St. | Riverside | |
| Engine 6 | Ambulance 96 | Rescue 1, Rescue 2 | Battalion 1 | 1 | 124 Getty Ave. | South Side | |
| Engine 7 | 3 | 97 Grand St. | Stony Road |
Closed/Disbanded Fire Companies
Throughout the history of the Paterson FD, several fire stations have been closed due to budget cuts.
- Engine 8 - 71 Wayne Ave.
- Engine 9 - 77 Highland St.
- Engine 10 - 198 17th Ave.
- Engine 11 - 97 Grand St.
- Engine 12 - 36 Circle Ave.
- Engine 13 - 127 Trenton Ave.
- Truck 11
- Snorkel 1 - 124 Getty Ave.
- Squad 1 "Flying Squad" - 115 Van Houten St. - Disbanded Feb. 20th, 1982.
- Satellite 9 - 36 Circle Ave.
Apparatus Specifications
Below is a complete list of all PFD apparatus, their manufacturer and specifications, and date.
Engine Companies
- Engine 1 - 2006 E-One Cyclone II 1500gpm./500gal./50gal. Foam Pumper Truck
- Engine 2 - 2002 Pierce Saber 1500gpm./500gal. Pumper Truck (Ex-Engine 1)
- Engine 3 - 2006 E-One Cyclone II 1500gpm./500gal./50gal. Foam Pumper Truck
- Engine 4 - 2006 E-One Cyclone II 1500gpm./500gal./50gal. Foam Pumper Truck
- Engine 5 - 2006 E-One Cyclone II 1500gpm./500gal./50gal. Foam Pumper Truck
- Engine 6 - 2002 Pierce Saber 1500gpm./500gal. Pumper Truck (Ex-Engine 5)
- Engine 7 - 2006 E-One Cyclone II 1500gpm./500gal./50gal. Foam Pumper Truck
- Spare Engine - 1998 Spartan/RD Murray 1500gpm./500gal. Pumper Truck (Ex-Engine 4)
Ladder Companies
- Tower Ladder 1 - 2005 E-One Cyclone II 95' Mid-Mount Platform Tower Ladder Truck
- Tower Ladder 2 - 2015 Pierce Arrow XT 95' Mid-Mount Platform Tower Ladder Truck
- Ladder 3 - 2005 E-One Cyclone II 100' Tractor-Drawn Aerial Ladder Truck
- Spare Ladder - 2003 E-One Cyclone II 100' Rear-Mount Aerial Ladder Truck (Ex Ladder 2)
Special Units
- Rescue 2 - 2005 Spartan/Rescue One Heavy-Duty Non-Walk-Around Rescue Squad Truck
- Rescue 1(Special Operations/Collapse Unit) - 2006 Spartan/Rescue One Heavy-Duty Non-Walk-Around Rescue Squad Truck
- Air Cascade Unit - 2005 Pierce Saber Heavy-Duty Non-Walk-Around Air Cascade Truck
Communications
Response Protocol
Structure Fire Response
- 1st/Alarm of Fire Assignment: 4 Engines, 2 Ladders, 1 Rescue, 1 Battalion Chief, Air Cascade Unit
- Working Fire Assignment (Upgrade): 1 Battalion Chief
- 2nd Alarm Assignment: 2 Engines, Deputy Chief / Tour Commander,
- 3rd Alarm Assignment: 1 Engine, 1 Ladder Chief of Department, Mobile Command Unit
References
- ↑ http://www.patersonnj.gov/department/?fDD=4-0 December 25, 2008
2. ^http://www.patersonfiredept.com/about/ October 24, 2012