Signs Executive Order creating the Governors Fire Service and Safety Task Force
(TRENTON)In an effort to improve safety at New Jerseys fire departments, Governor James E. McGreevey signed
an Executive Order today creating the Governors Fire Service and Safety Task Force.
The tragedy of September 11th demonstrated the need to have greater cooperation and superior
channels of communication between our fire departments, said McGreevey. Better communication and training will ensure the
ability of our fire departments to respond to emergency situations and effectively protect New Jerseys families.
The Task Force is being charged with examining interdepartmental communication in response to a major emergency,
training exercises, group purchasing, current delivery of fire protection, and operational readiness. The Task Force
is also being asked to develop and recommend a statewide plan to create a more efficient and safe operation.
Larry Petrillo, the Director of the Division of Fire Safety, will chair the Task Force. Members will include
the Director of the Office of Emergency Management, as well as the presidents of the NJ Firemens Benevolent Association, Professional
Fire Chiefs Association, Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey, New Jersey State Firemens Association and the
League of Municipalities.
A copy of the Executive Order is below.
WHEREAS, the people of the State of New Jersey rely
upon the courageous men and women of the fire departments of this State to protect them from the pervasive danger presented
by fire and other emergencies; and
WHEREAS, the State of New Jersey has a compelling
interest in guaranteeing that the fire departments of the State, both career and volunteer, are adequately trained and equipped
to respond to catastrophic damage and loss; and
WHEREAS, the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 have demonstrated the
need for greater cooperation and superior channels of communication between municipal fire departments and State, county and
federal agencies to ensure the ability of the States fire departments to respond to a catastrophic event or terrorist attack;
and
WHEREAS, the fire departments of this State could benefit from more efficient,
more economical, and safety sensitive training; and
WHEREAS, the fire departments of the State of New Jersey could benefit from
group purchasing;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JAMES E. McGREEVEY, Governor of the State of New Jersey,
by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and by the Statutes of this State, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:
1. There is hereby established the Governors Fire Service and Safety Task Force, hereinafter referred to as
the Task Force.
2. The members of the Task Force shall consist of:
· The Commissioner of the
Department of Community Affairs, or his designee
· The Attorney General, or
his designee
· The Director of the Division
of Fire Safety
· The President of the New
Jersey Firemens Benevolent Association, or his designee
· The President of the New
Jersey Association of Fire Districts, or his designee
· The President of the New
Jersey State Fire Chiefs Association, or his designee
· The President of the New
Jersey State Association of County Fire Marshals, or his designee
· The President of the Professional
Fire Chiefs Association, or his designee
· The President of the Professional
Firefighters Association of New Jersey, or his designee
· The President of the New
Jersey State Firemens Association, or his designee
· The President of the League
of Municipalities, or his designee
3. The Chairperson of the Task Force shall be the Director of the Division of Fire Safety.
4. The purpose of the Task Force will be to examine how fire departments can foster greater cooperation and
improve interdepartmental communication with the State, County and Federal Agencies in order to respond to a major disaster,
to examine the current delivery of fire protection and the operational readiness of New Jerseys Fire Service, and to develop
and recommend a Statewide plan to affect a more efficient, more economical, and safety sensitive operation.
5. Specifically, the Task Force will study the following aspects of fire department performance:
Interdepartmental Communication, Massive response major emergency response, and Training
6. The Task Force will consider making recommendations with regard to potential remedies, including:
Interdepartmental training exercises to prepare for major emergency response, Group purchasing, Methods and technology to
improve interdepartmental communication, and Departmental efficiency studies
7. The Task Force may request assistance from any department, division, office
or agency of the State. Any department, division, office or agency of the State is hereby required to cooperate
with the Council and furnish it with information and personnel assistance to the extent necessary to achieve the goals of
this Order.
GIVEN, under my hand and seal this
day of
in the Year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Three, and of the Independence of the United States, the Two Hundred
and Twenty-Seventh.
James
E. McGreevey, Governor
Attest:
Michael R. DeCotiis, Chief Counsel to the Governor
