Departments   /   Fire

Fire


Joseph A Berchtold
Fire Chief

To report a fire Dial: 911 or 201-837-7783
Non-emergency phone: (201) 808-8080

Fire Headquarters Address
1231 Teaneck Road
   Teaneck, NJ 07666 

DEPARTMENT OPERATIONS: Along with responding to fire alarms, the Department is often called out to auto accidents, Hazardous conditions, victim rescue and a host of other emergencies. Our table of organization is for 93 staffed members, including 31 officers, 60 firefighters and 2 civilian staff.  90 percent of our department is assigned to fire suppression divided into 4 shift working 365 days a year.

RESIDENTIAL FIRE SAFETY INFORMATION: As always, you are ultimately responsibility for your fire safety. No one should sleep in a room without two means of egress in case of a fire. No one should sleep in a house without working smoke detectors on each level of the home and – preferably – with smoke detectors in each bedroom that are all part of an interconnected system. No family should go to bed at night without a valid, realistic, fire safety escape plan that has been well thought out and practiced. Sometimes smoke detectors are intentionally disabled because of “nuisance” alarms. This is often caused by the wrong type of detector or poor location. Ionization smoke detectors will trigger an alarm sometimes for non-dangerous conditions like normal cooking vapors or steam from a shower.  They are however faster to respond to a fire with early flame production. Photoelectric smoke detectors are more stable and respond better to a smoldering fire. The International Association of Fire Chiefs recommends the use of both types of detectors in the home. Homeowners can call the Fire Prevention Bureau for recommended placement of the detectors and / or follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions. Placing smoke detectors in, or right outside, a kitchen or bathroom may lead to “nuisance” alarms. Smoke detectors have a limited useful life. The National Fire Protection Association recommends replacing smoke detectors ten years from the date of manufacture. Carbon Monoxide detectors should be replaced after seven years. Most detectors have the “date of manufacture” printed on the back of the device. If you are not sure how old your smoke detectors are, just replace them. The Fire Prevention Bureau is ready to provide any technical advice you need concerning detectors and escape plans. Call us at our non-emergency number: (201) 808-8080 x 5200 during normal business hours.

FIRE SUPPRESSION: The primary goal of the Teaneck Fire Department is to prevent fires from occurring. When a fire does occur, the goal becomes the immediate protection of life and property by rapid fire confinement, control and extinguishment of the fire while rescuing any trapped occupant. The average response time for the Teaneck Fire Department is three minutes – from time of notification to arrival on scene – which is below the NFPA recommendation of four minutes. At the first sign of smoke and/or fire, and/ or alarm activations, the fire department shall be notified. Building occupants shall leave the structure immediately, and call the fire department from outside the structure. Many serious and/or fatal fire injuries could have been avoided by prompt notification to the Teaneck Fire Department. NEVER RE-ENTER A BURNING STRUCTURE.

RESCUE OPERATIONS:  The fire department responds to serious motor vehicle accidents on Routes 4, 80, 95 and on our local streets. The department responds to water / ice rescues on the Hackensack River, Over peck Creek and to flooding conditions in Teaneck and neighboring towns.  In cooperation with – and in support of – other Township emergency services, the fire department has increased – and will continue to increase – our response to medical emergencies. This is part of a conscious departmental effort to improve the residents' quality of life and to save lives. The cooperation between the Teaneck Fire Department, the Teaneck Police Department and the Teaneck Volunteer Ambulance Corps has been well established over years.

FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU: The Bureau is the enforcement agency for the State of New Jersey and the Townships of Teaneck Fire Code, which is aimed at controlling fire hazards in all structures within the community. The Fire Code mandates periodic inspections of occupancy which include: schools, local businesses, factories, hospitals, nursing homes, all commercial businesses, and industrial / office buildings in the community. Cooperation with the building department insures fire protection with all building with in the Township. Residents are encouraged to request an inspection of their home to determine if any fire hazards exist. All residences – upon resale – and all rental units – upon rental – in accordance with State law are inspected for required smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers. The Bureau reminds residents that at least one to two weeks’ notice is required for a smoke detector and carbon monoxide inspection.

The Fire Prevention Bureau has speakers available for Fire Safety lectures. Please contact the Bureau at (201) 808-8080 ext. 5200 to schedule a lecture for your group or organization.

FIRE INVESTIGATION UNIT (FIU):  Under the direction of the Chief of Department and the Fire Official the FIU conducts investigations of all fires for origin and cause. In cases of arson, the FIU coordinates with the Teaneck Police Department, the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office, the Bergen County Arson Squad and other State and Federal agencies.

FIRE ALARM BUREAU:  The Township has 315 fire alarm boxes strategically located throughout the Township.  Teaneck fire alarm boxes are used to report fires, pre fire smoke conditions and a variety of other incidents including medical emergencies, electrical accidents, steam leaks, etc.  The majority of boxes are dual use, relaying alarms from protected premises such as schools, places of public assembly, high rises, etc., as well as being available to bystanders to manually report fires and emergencies.  The fire alarm boxes will continue to operate during power failures and are completely independent of the telephone system and private alarm companies.

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