Restructuring in Fire Department

In response to a , 12 firefighters will be promoted to captain and five current captains will be promoted to battalion chief, the city announced on Wednesday afternoon.

There will be no layoffs and no new hirings in the department.

Since 2008, the Hoboken Fire Department has shrunk by 20 percent, according to the city, due to a hiring freeze and the retirement of 38 employees.

A combined 3-1-1 dispatch system will also be created.

The fire department will remain at its current staffing level. The audit also recommended closing a fire engine, which has already happened, according to the city's announcement.

According to the mayor, the restructuring of the fire department will save $2.2 million in personnel costs annually.

Captains Mario Fini, Anton Peskens, Paul Kasley, John Cunning, Luis Moyeno will be promoted on Wednesday to become batallion chiefs.

Firefighters Stephen A. DiVincent, Audra A. Carter, Danny Montoto, Joseph J. Volaric, Brian M Crimmins, Maria Diaz, Baron Ballester, Vincent C DePinto, Antonio D Tamborra, Robert F. Chaneski, Ray A. Martinez and Bernard Griletti will be promoted on Thursday afternoon to become captains. 

Among the firefighters promoted will be the first two in the history of Hoboken.

"Hoboken was the first municipality in Hudson County with female firefighters, and today we are proud to be making history again," said Zimmer, who is Hudson County's first female mayor. "I congratulate all of those receiving promotions, and especially the female firefighters who are helping to shatter another glass ceiling."

The mayor also announced that the fire department's dispatchers will be trained to respond to resident questions, comments, and requests through the new 3-1-1 system. The combined 3-1-1/dispatch operations will be relocated to City Hall.