Photo Caption: The Bayonne Fire Department held a ceremony to welcome its newest rig, Engine 3, which was obtained with federal Community Development funding. Bayonne Economic Opportunity Foundation (BEOF) Executive Director Samantha Howard was made an honorary Battalion Chief at the ceremony for her role in assisting the Fire Department.  Pictured left to right: BEOF Executive Director Samantha Howard, Fire Chief Keith Weaver, Mayor Jimmy Davis, Council Member At-Large Loyad Booker, and Council Member At-Large Juan Perez.

Recently, the Bayonne Fire Department held a ceremony to welcome a new fire rig, Engine 3.  The new rig was acquired with federal funds from the City of Bayonne’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, which is administered by the Bayonne Economic Opportunity Foundation (BEOF).  Fire Chief Keith Weaver thanked Community Development and BEOF Executive Director Samantha Howard, Mayor Jimmy Davis, and the City Council for supporting the Fire Department.  The CDBG and other community development funds come from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The process of acquiring the new fire engine began in September 2022 when Director Howard advised Chief Weaver that grant funding was available for the Fire Department.  Chief Weaver expressed interest in purchasing a new fire engine.  After receiving the federal funds, the Fire Department ordered the new engine.  Including the new Engine 3, the Fire Department has purchased other rigs with approximately $1.5 million in federal funds over the past three decades.  During Mayor Davis’s administration, which began in 2014, the Bayonne Fire Department has replaced or refurbished seven out of nine of its rigs.  Speaking at the ceremony, Chief Weaver said that the department is in the planning phases for acquiring two new pieces of fire apparatus. 

At the ceremony, Mayor Davis said to the assembled firefighters, “Our job is to make sure that you have updated equipment, and to make sure you can do your job and can go home.” Mayor Davis commended both the Fire Department and the Police Department.  He promised to continue working on obtaining new technology for the emergency services.  He presented a plaque to Samantha Howard to thank her for obtaining the federal funds for Engine 3.  The plaque declares her to be an honorary Battalion Chief in the Bayonne Fire Department.  Director Howard thanked the Fire Department, and said she was proud to be part of it. 

The ceremony concluded with a blessing by Rev. John Fencik, Pastor of St. Mary’s Orthodox Church and retired 9-1-1 Coordinator for the City of Bayonne.  Then the firefighters pushed the new Engine 3 from the driveway into the City Hall Fire Station.