Geographically located at the southern tip of Hudson County, Bayonne is a peninsula city with New York Harbor to the east, the Kill Van Kull to the south, and Newark Bay to the west. Bayonne is bordered by Jersey City to the north and we are connected to Staten Island, the 5th Borough of New York City, via the Bayonne Bridge.
The City of Bayonne Fire Department protects a city of approximately 70,000 residents in an area of about 3 square miles. Another 2.5 square miles is occupied by heavy industry and the now closed Military Ocean Terminal. This industrial area is made up of primarily warehousing, petroleum shipping and storage, and other commercial facilities. The closed Military Ocean Terminal has occupied multiple dwellings, commercial structures, warehouses, a dry dock, and other commercial facilities.
The Chief of Department is Thomas R. Lynch, a highly decorated and respected member, who has 40 years of service with the department. Chief Lynch was promoted to Chief of Department on March 3, 1999 becoming the ninth chief in Bayonne Fire Department history dating back to September 3, 1906 when the volunteer department was replaced by the paid department. Chief Lynch is also the third generation in his family to protect the City of Bayonne.
Historically, the Bayonne Fire Department was a division of the Public Safety Department along with the Police Department. The Police and Fire Chiefs reported to a Public Safety Director appointed by the Mayor, usually a retired law enforcement officer. In 1998, Joseph V. Doria Jr. was elected mayor. Mayor Doria saw the need for the Fire Department to be a separate department with a director with fire service experience. Mayor Doria appointed Patrick E. Boyle to the position of Fire Director. Director Boyle, a battalion chief, is a 23 year veteran on a leave of absence from his line position.
The Bayonne Fire Department has 195 members as of October 1, 1999. A four group system is employed and the members work a 24 hours on/72 hours off schedule(42 hour workweek). Seven(7) engine companies, three(3) ladder companies and a two(2) Battalion Chiefs are strategically spread among 7 fire stations for suppression operations.
In addition to fire suppression the department is also responsible for fire prevention and education, origin and cause investigations and confined space and hazardous materials response. In an effort to augment the municipal emergency medical service, Engine Companies 2,5, and 6 began responding in July of 1999 as CFR-D(Certified First Responder-Defibrillator) engine companies. As of November 19, 1999, all seven engine companies are defibrillator equipped and respond as CFR-D companies. Beginning with the most recent probationary class all future Bayonne Firefighters will be EMT certified.
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Child Car Seat Safety Program - Since its inception four years ago, the Bayonne Fire Department Child Car Seat Safety Unit has inspected over 125 child car seats. The unit holds an annual inspection just before Memorial Day during EMS Week. The Unit also conducts inspections by appointment. To contact the Child Car Seat Safety Unit or to schedule an appointment, please call 201.858.6008.