New Fire Boat Ready for Rescue

Jefferson Township’s christened the latest addition to its fire rescue vehicles, the Guardian J.T.715 at Wednesday night’s council meeting.

The fire department purchased the 20-foot pontoon boat to be used as a rescue vehicle. Modifications to the boat included the addition of lettering, warning lights and siren, radios, stretcher tie-downs and first aid equipment.

The boat is available for fire, EMS and police personnel, as well as mutual aid dispatch throughout New Jersey at the request of emergency management agencies. Fire company no. 2 will maintain the boat. The boat can be used for water rescue operations, dive unit operations and transporting manpower and equipment to islands and other remote sections of Lake Hopatcong. It can also be towed or launched from other bodies of water in the township.

Funding for the boat came from various efforts by the fire department. Lake Hopatcong/San Bar Marina agreed to sell the boat to the fire department at cost, according to fire company no. 2 president Ray Patrick.

Fire company no. 2 has 30 surface water rescue technicians, 30 New Jersey licensed watercraft operators and 15 scuba divers, of which seven are public safety divers, used by Jefferson Township and surrounding communities.