new jersey fire and emergency service resources · fire safety. explain the relationship between...
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OBJECTIVES� Describe the responsibilities of the Division of
Fire Safety.� Explain the relationship between Departments
and Agencies of the State of New Jersey.� Explain the responsibilities of the various
bureaus and units within the Division of FireSafety.
� Describe who enforces the Uniform Fire Codein municipalities.
� Describe the make-up of the membership ofthe Fire Safety Commission.
� List and explain the three co-equal branches ofthe State of New Jersey government.
NEW JERSEYGOVERNMENT
The government of the State of New Jersey, like thatof the United States, is divided into three coequalbranches: the legislative, the executive, and the judi-cial. The principal function of the Legislature is toenact laws. The Executive Branch (the Governor andState agencies) carries out the programs established
by law. The Judiciary (the Supreme Court and lowercourts) punishes violators, settles controversies anddisputes, and is the final authority on the meaningand constitutionality of laws.
There are a variety of departments and agenciesthat comprise the State Government, Figure B-1.
More information about the State and Local gov-ernments of New Jersey and the departments andagencies that make up state government can be foundat http://www.nj.gov
NEW JERSEY DIVISIONOF FIRE SAFETY
Within the New Jersey Department of CommunityAffairs is the Division of Fire Safety. The Division ofFire Safety is the central fire service agency in theState, responsible for the development and enforce-ment of the State Uniform Fire Code, public educa-tion programs, and firefighter training programs,Figure B-2. The Division of Fire Safety includes twobureaus: the Bureau of Fire Code Enforcement andthe Bureau of Fire Department Services. DirectorLawrence Petrillo, who also functions as the StateFire Marshal, leads the Division of Fire Safety.
The following section outlines the various pro-grams of the Division of Fire Safety and their purposes
� New Jersey Government� New Jersey Division of Fire Safety
� Other State Resources
NEW JERSEY FIRE ANDEMERGENCY SERVICE RESOURCES
NEW JERSEY FIRE ANDEMERGENCY SERVICERESOURCES
OUTLINE
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and functions. For further information regarding theDivision of Fire Safety’s programs, please call the tele-phone number listed for each particular program, callthe main telephone number at (609) 633-6106, or visit
the web site at www.nj.gov/dca/dfs. The mailing ad-dress for the Division of Fire Safety is: New Jersey De-partment of Community Affairs, Division of FireSafety, PO Box 809, Trenton, NJ 08625-0809.
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New Jersey State Government Departments and Agencies
Departments� Agriculture� Banking & Insurance� Commerce� Community Affairs� Corrections� Education� Environmental Protection� Health & Senior Services� Human Services� Labor� Law & Public Safety� Military & Veterans Affairs� Personnel� State� Transportation� Treasury
Agencies� Administrative Law, Office of� Board of Public Utilities� Building Authority� Casino Control Commission� Clean Air Council� Cancer Research, Commission on� Commission on Higher Education� Commission on Science and Technology� Council on Local Mandates� Delaware River Basin Commission� Economic Development Authority� Election Law Enforcement (Campaign and Lobbying Disclosure)� Executive Commission on Ethical Standards� Garden State Preservation Trust� Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse� Health Care Facilities Financing Authority� Higher Education Student Assistance Authority� Homeland Security� Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency� Information Technology � Interstate Environmental Commission� Lottery � Motor Vehicle Commission� New Jersey Meadowlands Commission� New Jersey Network (NJN)� New Jersey Redevelopment Authority (NJRA) � New Jersey School Construction Corporation � New Jersey Transit� Pinelands Commission� Professional Boards and Advisory Committees� Public Defender, Office of the� Public Employment Relations Commission� Ratepayer Advocate� State Casino Reinvestment Development Authority� State Commission of Investigation� State Employment and Training Commission� State Parole Board� State Police� Turnpike Authority� Urban Coordinating Council� Victims of Crime Compensation Board� Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor
Figure B-1 New Jersey state government departments and agencies.
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Division of Fire Safety ProgramsFire Safety Commission
Type of Assistance: Advisory.Description: Works closely with the
Division of Fire Safety to promote firesafety in the State. The commissioncomprises 23 members, including statelegislators and citizens with expertiseor interest in fire safety. It was createdby law to assist and advise theCommissioner of the Department ofCommunity Affairs on all matters offire safety.
Assistance Provided To: Stategovernment, the fire service and thegeneral public.
Other Information: Meets five timeseach year to consider fire safety issues,amendments to the Uniform Fire Code,new fire safety programs and to hearcomments from the public on mattersof fire safety.
Contact: (609) 633-6139
Legislative and Regulatory ServicesType of Assistance: Technical and
Advisory.Description: Provides guidance
regarding local enforcement of theUniform Fire Safety Act and State FirePrevention Code; oversees localagency operations and conducts
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routine monitoring; develops andamends program rules; providesassistance to Peer Review Committeeto assess sanctions against certifiedofficials; undertakes appropriatecorrective or enforcement action forviolations of the Act and Code;maintains quarterly registry ofagencies having jurisdiction withineach municipality in the State.
Assistance Provided To: Municipalities,fire services or private individuals.
Contact: (609) 984-1947
Volunteer Emergency ServiceOrganization Loan Program
Type of Assistance: Financial–Loans.Description: Provides loans to fire
departments and ambulance/rescuesquads.
Funding Source: State Appropriation,Special Revenue.
Award Period: July 1 to June 30.Assistance Provided To: Volunteer and
partially-paid fire companies, first aidsquads and rescue squads.
Other Information: Two percent interest,10-year repayment, maximum loan:$50,000.
Procedure for Applying: Request forproposals mailed annually. Submissionof an application.
Contact: (609) 984-1903
Figure B-2 The Division of Fire Safety oversees a variety of programs, including training programs for firefighters.
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Volunteer Recruitment and Retention Program
Type of Assistance: Advisory andProgrammatic.
Description: Provides guidance, visualaids and assistance to local volunteerfire departments and first aid,ambulance and rescue squads trying torecruit new members and retain currentmembers.
Other Information: A toll-free, 800-telephone line answers calls from thepublic regarding recruitment. Callersare referred to their local volunteerorganization’s recruitment officer byDivision staff.
Assistance Provided To: Volunteer firedepartments, first aid, ambulance andrescue squads.
Contact: (609) 633-6121, 1 (800) FIRE-LINE
Bureau of Fire CodeEnforcement ProgramsFire Code Services
Type of Assistance: Technical andAdvisory.
Description: Provides technicalassistance to fire officials/fireinspectors involved in the enforcementof the Uniform Fire Code andRegulations for Fire CodeEnforcement.
Assistance Provided To: Local enforcingagencies and private individuals.
Contact: (609) 633-6132
InspectionsType of Assistance: Technical.Description: Enforces the Uniform Fire
Code in municipalities that do not electto establish local enforcementagencies; responsible for the inspectionof high-rise and life hazard usebuildings/structures when theDepartment has retained directenforcement authority, Figure B-3.
Assistance Provided To: Anymunicipality that has not establishedan enforcement agency for theUniform Fire Code.
Contact: (609) 633-6132
Life Hazard Use RegistrationType of Assistance: Technical and
Advisory.Description: Life hazard use is defined
as the use of a building or structurethat may constitute a potential risk tohuman life, public welfare orfirefighters. The program registershigh-rise and life hazard usebuildings/businesses to inspect andenforce the Uniform Fire Safety Act.Records of these structures aremaintained and lists are distributed tolocal enforcement agencies. Theprogram collects fees from life hazarduse owners and establishes criteria todisburse funds to local agenciesenforcing the Uniform Fire Code andRegulations.
Assistance Provided To: Any fireservice, local enforcement agency orindividual.
Contact: (609) 633-6144
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Figure B-3 The Bureau of Fire Code Enforcementprovides programs on inspections.
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Local AssistanceType of Assistance: Technical.Description: Assists municipalities to
establish local enforcing agencies inaccordance with the Uniform FireSafety Act; makes recommendations tothe local enforcing agencies regardingdaily operations; providesinterpretations of the Uniform FireCode.
Assistance Provided To: Municipalitiesand local enforcing agencies.
Contact: (609) 341-3258
State Building Fire Safety InspectionsType of Assistance: Technical.Description: Supervises fire prevention
and protection programs in all state-owned, state-leased and state-occupiedstructures.
Assistance Provided To: Mandatory for allstate-owned or state-leased properties.
Contact: (609) 633-6132
Bureau of Fire DepartmentServices ProgramsFire Coordinator’s Program
Type of Assistance: Technical.Description: Administers the New Jersey
Fire Coordinator System. This systemis part of the State’s emergencymanagement system and manages thedeployment of fire service resourcesrequested beyond contiguousmunicipalities. There is a County FireCoordinator assigned to each of theState’s 21 counties.
The system is designed to deployDivision staff to the EmergencyOperations Center at State PoliceHeadquarters in West Trenton. Fromthere, Division staff coordinate thedeployment of fire service resources,particularly during a declared state ofemergency.
County fire coordinators areresponsible for maintaining resourcelists, including apparatus, specializedequipment, and available staffing, andworking with the Division staff to havethem readily available.
Contact: (609) 633-6071
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Fire Department ProgramsType of Assistance: Technical and
Advisory.Description: Investigates serious
injuries or deaths of firefighters in the line of duty and publishes thefindings in a formal report.Additionally, this unit works with theJuvenile Firesetter Committee toresearch and develop a statewidepolicy for preventing juveniles fromsetting fires and for educating thepublic and the fire service about theproblem.
Other Information: In cooperation withthe Department of Treasury, theprogram develops specifications forfirefighters’ protective clothing andequipment for inclusion on the StateCooperative Purchasing Contract,Figure B-4. This ensures thatprotective clothing meets thestandards established in the PublicEmployees Occupational Safety andHealth Act.
Assistance Provided To: Fire serviceorganizations, emergency medicalservices, state, county or municipalgovernments and anyone dealing withthe problems of a juvenile firesetter.
Contact: (609) 633-6071; 1 (800) 357-5230
Fire Incident Reporting SystemType of Assistance: Technical.Description: Administers a statewide
fire incident reporting system thatalso serves as a central depository forthe National Fire Incident ReportingSystem. Participating firedepartments report emergencyincidents in a standardized formatthat is passed on to the U.S. FireAdministration to be included innational statistics and analyses. Theunit also analyzes statewide data toidentify trends and publishes anannual report titled “Fire in NewJersey.”
Assistance Provided To: Any fireservice organization or interestedindividual.
Contact: (609) 633-6324
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Fire Protection Installers/Maintenance Certification Program
Type of Assistance: Technical andAdvisory.
Description: Establishes acomprehensive, mandatory licensingprocedure for contractors who sell,install, repair, inspect and maintain fireprotection equipment. Determineswhether an application is complete andif all requirements have been met. Theappropriate license is issued to theapplicant in each field for which thequalifications are met.
Other Information: Currently, there aresix license classifications establishedwithin this program: Fire ProtectionEquipment; Fire Sprinkler System;Special Hazard Fire SuppressionSystem; Fire Alarm Equipment;Portable Fire Extinguisher; andKitchen Fire Suppression System.Businesses that provide any type ofservice on fire safety equipment mustobtain an annual business permit.
Contact: (609) 633-6121
Office of Training and CertificationType of Assistance: Technical, Advisory
and Training.Description: Provides statewide
educational and training programs
relating to fire protection, fireprevention, fire safety inspection, andto certify fire officials/fire inspectorswho enforce the Uniform Fire Code.The office also develops trainingstandards for various positions withinthe fire service and provides trainingprograms leading to certification inthose positions. Continuing educationprograms are also available toindividuals holding certaincertifications. This program also offersNational Fire Academy Trainingcourses covering all aspects offirefighting.
Assistance Provided To: Fire servicetraining academies, any fire serviceorganization or private individual.
Contact: (609) 633-6117
Persons with Disabilities or OxygenUse Emblem Program
Type of Assistance: Technical.Description: Issues a person with a
disability or who uses oxygen one oftwo identification emblems. Thedisability emblem is affixed to awindow of a residential dwelling andalerts firefighters, medical, rescue orlaw enforcement personnel, whenresponding to an emergency situation,that a person with a disability may be
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Figure B-4 The Bureau of Fire Department Services deals with issues related to protective clothing and equipment.
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present therein and may require specialassistance. The oxygen emblem is alsoaffixed to a window of a residentialdwelling to warn firefighters thatoxygen is in use within that dwelling.A person with a disability or who usesoxygen may apply for an emblem bycontacting the Division.
Contact: (609) 633-6121
Public EducationType of Assistance: Technical and
Advisory.Description: Increases public awareness
of fire safety by developingeducational fire safety materials such
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as brochures, flyers, posters andbooklets for distribution to schools,fire departments and the generalpublic; develops specific fire safetyprograms for schools, preschools andsenior citizens, Figure B-5; publishes anewsletter for members of the fireservice and other individuals andorganizations interested in fire safety;and helps coordinate an annual firesafety poster contest for schoolchildren throughout the State.
Assistance Provided To: Municipalities,schools, fire departments and thegeneral public.
Contact: (609) 633-6071
Figure B-5 The Bureau of Fire Department Services offers public education assistance and materials.
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REVIEW QUESTIONS1. Describe the main responsibilities of the
Division of Fire Safety.2. Review the list of the departments and agencies
within the State of New Jersey government.3. What are the names of the two bureaus within
the Division of Fire Safety?4. Which bureau is responsible for the Fire
Incident Reporting System and Office ofTraining and Certification?
5. An important part of the Department ofCommunity Affairs is the Fire SafetyCommission. Describe the membership thatcomprises this commission.
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Other State Resources� There are a variety of other state resources that may be beneficial to firefighters. Below is a partial
listing of some of these resources as well as contact information.
� New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, Division of Codes and Standards,http://www.nj.gov/dca/codes/
� New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, Office of Emergency Medical Services,http://www.state.nj.us/health/ems/index.html
� New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety, Division of Highway Traffic Safety,http://www.state.nj.us/lps/hts/index.html
� New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety, Office of Counter-Terrorism,http://www.state.nj.us/lps/oct/index.html
� New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development, http://www.nj.gov/labor/lsse/lspeosh.html
� New Jersey Homeland Security, http://www.njhomelandsecurity.com/
6. Name the co-equal branches of the State NewJersey government.
7. Enacting laws are the principal function ofwhich branch of government?
8. Which branch of government has the principalfunction of carrying out the programsestablished by law?
9. The final authority on the meaning andconstitutionality of law is the principal functionof this branch of government.
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