New Peninsula Fire House Dedicated On Monday, November 17, the City of Bayonne held the opening ceremonies for the new fire station that is located on the Peninsula at Bayonne Harbor. The new facility was constructed with the aid of a $3.56 million grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, President Obama’s economic stimulus legislation. Firefighters, public officials, and students from Nicholas Oresko School #14 were present at the event. Speaking at the ceremonies, Fire Chief Gregory Rogers described the new fire house as being “perfectly situated” for the future growth of the Peninsula, for safeguarding Bayonne’s industries, and for protecting Bayonne’s expanding population. Rogers explained that the construction of the new Fire Department building followed the closing and consolidation of three older facilities. During construction, fire companies operated temporarily out of tent-covered trailers. Chief Rogers described the new fire station as “better sized and equipped” than the older fire houses that it replaced. The Peninsula Fire House is the new home of Rescue Company #1 and Squad #5. Mayor Jimmy Davis said that his term in office so far has included many firsts, such as the first female City Council President, Sharon Ashe Nadrowski, and the first female firefighter, Cailin Brodel, both of whom were at the event. To the list of firsts, Mayor Davis added the first new, free-standing house fire house in Bayonne in over eight decades. He credited U.S. Senator Robert Menendez and Congressman Albio Sires with making sure that the fire station project received federal funding. Senator Menendez called the new fire house “an outstanding facility that equals our firefighters’ dedication.” The Senator noted that he voted for the economic stimulus legislation that enabled the project to be built. Senator Menendez reminded the audience that the grant process was competitive, and that many proposed construction projects were not funded. He observed that the temporary fire facility in the tented trailers “was neither sustainable nor suitable.” Making the case for the new Fire Department building, Senator Menendez pointed to Bayonne’s location as a seaport near an airport. He also cited our densely populated housing and the presence of the petro-chemical industry. Congressman Albio Sires said he remembered receiving the call from Chief Rogers five years ago about the need for the new fire station. As a former mayor, Congressman Sires said he understood Bayonne’s need for the facility. Congressman Sires said that “everyone worked together for the benefit of the City of Bayonne.” He added that it was “gratifying” to have seen the project through from the first shovel in the ground to completion. Congressman Donald Payne, Jr. called a new fire house “the best of what government can do for you.” He thanked President Obama for making the construction possible. As a member of the Homeland Security Committee in the House of Representatives, Congressman Payne said that he has “deep respect for first responders,” and wants to provide them with “the necessary resources to do their jobs.” Congressman Payne said that most people run away from fire, while firefighters “run to it.” Two chaplains, Father John Doherty and Father John Fencik, blessed the new fire house. Then firefighters and elected officials joined together for the clipping of a metal pipe, which is a Fire Department version of a ceremonial ribbon-cutting. The ceremony concluded with a “push-in”: a foam tender truck backed into the station to symbolize that the building is open for business. The Peninsula Fire House has 10,600 square feet of space. There are areas for working, living, and training. There are four bays for fire apparatus. Up to twenty-five firefighters can be trained in the building at any one time. There are offices, storage areas, a laundry, kitchen facilities, and a gymnasium. This is the first fire station in Bayonne built to accommodate both male and female firefighters.
Posted on: Mon, 17 Nov 2014 21:35:10 +0000
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