The fire department for five towns in northern Hudson County approved two contracts during last week’s meeting to bring in additional communications technology.
EOC Technology Innovations of Jersey City was awarded a contract for $38,000 at the March 28 North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue meeting. The consulting company will use $660,000 in federal funding that the Regional has received for its emergency operation center and install new radios and computers in that center within the next seven to eight months.
The equipment will go into the department’s new Emergency and Interoperability Command Center, housed within the firehouse on 43rd Street. This new firehouse opened last year and also houses Engine Company 5. The center will link all first responders in Hudson County in the case of an emergency and will provide a backup for the department’s own communication center.
After they complete the project, the department can access the full $849,000 grant
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“This grant will provide an interlink between all firehouses,” said Co-Director Jeffery Welz. He also said it will use GPS information to pinpoint where a fire truck is. It also will allow the Regional to connect to other computer systems on the state and federal level in the case of an emergency. Chief officers will have laptops that are able to access the same system.
The Regional covers fire protection and rescue services for North Bergen, Guttenberg, Union City, West New York, and Weehawken.
Finally, computers in trucks
The Regional received a federal earmark seven to eight years ago that would have paid for the installation of computers and GPS systems in fire trucks and firehouses, and for laptops for chief officers. However, at the time, the funding would have been staggered, with the department only receiving a certain amount each year. The department decided to wait and purchase more current technology.
After they complete the project, the department can access the full $849,000 grant, except for the 15 percent cut that goes to the New Jersey Department of Transportation.
“These computers can connect firehouses to the trucks, with the chief officers via the internet,” said Welz. “In the case of anything, from a hazmat spill to a terrorist event, [we would be able to access] up-to-date information as to how to handle that emergency.”
Firefighter back on job
Also at the Regional’s meeting, the commissioners voted to approve a settlement with Firefighter John Palombini, who had filed a lawsuit against the department. The settlement allows him to return to work after retiring under disability nearly two years ago.
The settlement does not award money to Palombini, but allows him to be reinstated.
Tricia Tirella may be reached at TriciaT@hudsonreporter.com.