Putting out fires
Protecting Middlesex County
A Firefighter I class prepares to practice following the hose line and conducting a search in smoky conditions in a two-story burn structure on the Fire Academy campus
Nestled among the shops lining South Amboy’s main road is the Independence Engine & Hose Co. #1. Founded in 1890, it was the first company formed in the all- volunteer South Amboy Fire Department (SAFD) and is among the oldest fire companies in Middlesex County. And while the building that houses Independence Engine & Hose Co. #1 is old, the firefighters’ equipment and training are state-of-the-art. This is vital. Advances in technology have enabled the creation of better protective gear and other tools that have improved safety, but fighting fires remains incredibly dangerous. Training and experience are key. Firefighters throughout the County ― including the volunteers from Independence Engine & Hose Co. #1 ― get both at the Middlesex County Fire Academy, where the more than 60 instructors are former first responders with decades of experience. Established in 1992, the Middlesex County Fire Academy trains thousands of firefighters each year, offering lectures, hands-on training, and drills in everything from basic firefighting to specialized skills.
“We pay attention to the types of fires and situations that are happening not just in our area, but anywhere, and then we develop classes to train emergency responders,” says Gallagher. “A recent example is fires involving electric batteries. We saw a need for training and wrote a class to teach firefighters how to respond quickly and effectively. Timely, hands-on training is crucial.” Fire Academy staff are considered regional experts, providing training not only for local firefighters, but for firefighters from throughout the tri-state area and even a firefighter crew from Colombia. The Fire Academy’s 26-acre campus in the Borough of Sayreville is well-equipped and includes several burn structures where firefighters practice responding to real-world scenarios using live fire in everything from car fires to house fires or high-rise apartment or condominium fires, and more. Arson investigators also receive training at the Fire Academy, with detailed scenarios prepared ahead of time so the investigators learn how to locate and identify potential evidence ― and what it means. In addition to training firefighters, personnel also respond to fire and emergency calls. The Fire Academy operates several specialized response teams and task forces, including a Metro Strike Team and a swift water rescue team. Members of these teams are career firefighters and first responders who volunteer their time and specialized skills when needed. The high level of training and overall preparedness the Fire Academy provides are especially important with so many major highways and railways ― passenger and freight ― running through Middlesex County, as well as the County’s proximity to Newark Liberty International Airport and New York City. And it’s crucial in South Amboy, where the volunteer members of Independence Fire & Hose Co. #1, together with volunteers
from the city’s four other fire companies, work hard to protect people and property. According to SAFD Chief John Dragotta, a veteran firefighter of 43 years, Independence Engine & Hose Co. #1 has approximately 123 members, 50 to 60 of whom are considered active members. When the alarm sounds, they head to the firehouse, put on their gear, and respond to the call ― responding to 300 to 350 calls per year with an average response time of three to four minutes. They rely on their experience, judgment, and training every time. Why do firefighters do it? Why move toward danger when everyone else is heading in the other direction? Dragotta sees firefighting, especially as a volunteer, as a commitment to his neighbors and the community ― and an opportunity to do good in the world ― and says that being a firefighter means being part of the biggest brotherhood in the United States (that includes plenty of female firefighters as well).
He encourages anyone who has the time and opportunity to volunteer. “It’s amazing when you pull someone out and save their life,” says Dragotta. “The best part is when you know you did something good ― you saved a person or their pet or their property ― you helped someone. It’s very rewarding.”
Middlesex County Fire Marshal Mike Gallagher oversees and enforces the State of NJ Uniform Fire Code in Middlesex County. He also serves as director of the Fire Academy, overseeing training and operations, and is the County Fire Coordinator. Gallagher, who has been with the Fire Academy since 1998, is committed to ensuring firefighters are prepared for any emergency they may encounter.
South Amboy Fire Department’s fire apparatuses through the years
Two members of Firefighter I class practice opening a fire hydrant
Firefighter Charles “Chuck” Pickard joined SAFD in 1967, served as chief in 1992, and still responds to fire calls
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6 Your Middlesex | 2023 Issue 1
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