Fire Department

Fire protection is provided by five volunteer fire companies:

Each company elects its own officers and maintains its own equipment and headquarters. The companies have a total of eleven pumpers, two aerial towers with aerial ladders, two squad trucks, nine boats, one rescue/extrication vehicle, and one Special Emergency Response Team (S.E.R.T.) vehicle. A system of home Plectrons with direct pagers and contact through the police communications center provides quick contact in case of fire.

 

The township Fire Commissioner is elected by the firefighters and appointed by the mayor and council for a two-year term. Each company has one of its members serve in turn. The Fire Commissioner is in charge of all fires, maintains contact with other fire departments, keeps abreast of new procedures and firefighting techniques, approves the appointment of new volunteers, and serves as advisor and consultant to the township in matters of fire protection and prevention.

 

Firefighters are trained by the chiefs of their own companies but all new members must attend the Passaic County Fire Academy for fire training and certification in firefighter I & II courses. Funds are available for attendance at Fire School. An applicant must be a Wayne resident for at least six months, be between the ages of eighteen and forty-five, pass a physical examination and criminal background check. There is a one-year probationary period. Promotions are earned and elected.

 

The township provides a fund of approximately $150,000 to be shared equally by the five fire companies. It also supplies funds for the rental of radios, maintenance of sirens, an allowance for uniforms, and additional funds are appropriated under "Insurance" for life, disability, and death benefit insurance, and for a spouse's fund.

 

The fire department also depends on donations from the public and hosts fund drives on occasion in their perspective fire districts. Other monies are raised by renting their fire halls to individuals for special occasions.

 

Adding to the fire department's specialties is the Special Emergency Response Team (S.E.R.T.). This team is comprised of several highly trained firefighters who assist in special situations, such as confined space rescues.

 

Anyone interested in joining their local fire department can do so by visiting any one of the five firehouses in the township for additional details.