Jersey City Fire Department Celebrates 150 Years Serving The City

JERSEY CITY, NJ — Jersey City is gearing up to celebrate the Jersey City Fire Department's 150th anniversary. A parade and ceremonies will take place on Sunday to celebrate the department.

Local uniformed firefighters will be joined by first responders from over 20 additional fire departments representing the tri-state area to celebrate Jersey City’s professional firefighting service, which began in 1871. Jersey City is New Jersey's largest municipal fire department.

“For generation after generation, the Jersey City Fire Department has, without hesitation, answered the call when lives and property are in danger during various emergencies,” said Mayor Steven Fulop. “The reliability and excellence of the JCFD speaks to why it is continuously mentioned as one of the best fire departments in the state. A special thank you to all of our firefighters, past and present, for your bravery and unwavering commitment to keeping our community safe.”

Marching alongside accompanying firefighting apparatus, the JCFD parade will kick off at 12 p.m. Sunday from Dickinson High School, located at 2 Palisade Avenue. The parade route will then travel through Jersey City neighborhoods along Newark Avenue and continue south on Jersey Avenue to a reviewing stand situated south of Grand Street.

“We’ve come a long way over the past 150 years, and the Division of Fire continues to grow with the City,” said JCFD Chief Steve McGill. “Every year, our call volume grows, and we answer every call ready to assist. I’m proud to be a part of the department’s 150th celebrations, and I know the department will only get stronger over the next 150 years.”

The Jersey City Fire Department has significantly advanced its operations since its early days of horse-drawn fire apparatus. Last year, the fire department responded to over 13,000 calls for service. Under the Fulop Administration, all fire department members receive first responder training, and all vehicles are equipped with automatic defibrillators. Today, the fire department has expanded to include the Fire Prevention Bureau, a proactive unit that has successfully installed free smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in hundreds of Jersey City households over the past three years to help residents prevent fire hazards and potential fires. The Department’s Arson Unit has also streamlined investigations for more efficient and effective operations.

“We inherited a severely understaffed fire department, forcing multiple firehouses to be put off duty every shift. Since the start of this administration, it has been the Mayor’s priority to increase staffing levels and to provide the life-saving training and modernized fire equipment to give our firefighters the tools they need to stay safe while protecting the public,” said Public Safety Director James Shea.