SAFER Helps New Jersey Local Hire New Fire Fighters

July 19, 2010 – Four new fire fighters have joined the ranks of North Plainfield, NJ Local 2958 after the City was awarded a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant. The additions bring the borough’s career department to 25.

“This is the first time since I came on the job 20 years ago that we have had more than 24 fire fighters,” says North Plainfield Local 2958 President Jeff Holtz. “Having adequate numbers on the job helps us do our jobs better and safer. It gives us peace of mind.”

Last year, the North Plainfield Fire Department lost three fire fighters to retirement. Due to economic issues, fire fighters began to worry that those fire fighters would not be replaced.

However, Fire Chief William Eaton and Local 2958 worked together to apply for a SAFER grant. After the grant was awarded, meetings were set up with each of the Borough Council members to explain the importance of accepting the grant.

Knowing that the Borough government had limited funds, Local 2958 made one concession to solidify the deal. “We agreed to lower the starting salaries for new hires,” says Holtz. “The important thing for us was to bring our staffing back to previous levels. Running calls without enough fire fighters wasn’t safe for us or the community.”

The hard work by Local 2958 and fire department management paid off when the Borough Council voted unanimously to accept the grant.

After the vote, no time was wasted in getting the application and testing process underway. On July 1, new fire fighters Kris Piccola, T. J. McDonald, Michael Kennedy and Shane Bell began their on-the-job training.

“They have great attitudes and I am confident that they will become great assets to our department and our local,” says Holtz.