Fire Chief Parks Half of Fleet

Citing apparatus certification concerns, a New Jersey Fire Company has pulled two of four trucks from its firefighting roster until proper inspections are carried out. The newly installed fire chief said he opted to house the department's ladder and one of two pumper trucks after discovering they did not receive annual inspections and certifications that meet National Fire Protection Association guidelines. They were last certified in the 1990s. "I'm trying to protect my guys. In the event ... that something does happen the first thing they're going to look at is certification, " he said. The move would not jeopardize township residents, since other departments responding would supply necessary apparatus. A "full battery" of inspections to the tune of $3,000 will be carried out as soon as possible. The NFPA said pumps and aerial devices on ladder trucks should be tested annually to determine they're functioning properly.

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