Mayor Fulop to Swear in 32 new Firefighters, Totaling over 240 Firefighters Hired as Administration makes Public Safety Investments Priority 

Jersey City Fire Department Reaches Historic Staffing Levels with Eleventh Graduating Class also fully EMT-Certified

JERSEY CITY – Mayor Steven M. Fulop and Public Safety Director James Shea will swear in 32 new firefighters to the Jersey City Fire Department at an 11 a.m. ceremony on Monday, March 2, 2020 inside City Hall Council Chambers, furthering the Administration’s efforts to increase public safety.

Since Mayor Fulop took office, a total of 246 new firefighters have been hired.  This latest class of firefighters to take the oath of office marks the Department’s eleventh sworn class since 2013.

“In less than 7 years, we’ve grown the fire department from being dangerously understaffed to now historic levels with fully staffed firehouses every day and night to keep our community safe,” said Mayor Fulop. “This latest class graduating is joining the best, and one of the largest departments in the state, compromised of a diverse group of brave men and women.  I wish them luck as they embark on such a noble career.”

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.

“Increasing public safety is an all-encompassing approach, and we’ve worked hard to build the best fire department in the state,” said Director Shea.  “These graduates have undergone the rigorous training necessary to be a part of this great department, and we will continue to expand public safety citywide, which includes another class of recruits entering the academy this spring.”

After five months of academy training, the new class is now the eleventh to complete an additional 3-month EMT certification course partially funded through a federal SAFER grant, and are all fully EMT-certified.