| Operational area | |
|---|---|
| State | New Jersey |
| City | Camden |
| Agency overview | |
| Established | 1869 |
| Annual calls | ~10,000 |
| Employees | ~200 |
| Facilities and equipment | |
| Divisions | 1 |
| Battalions | 2 |
| Stations | 5 |
| Engines | 5 |
| Ladders | 3 |
| Squads | 1 (rescue-pumper) |
| Rescues | 1 |
| HAZMAT | 1 |
| USAR | 1 |
| Fireboats | 1 |
| Light and air | 1 |
Officially organized in 1869, the Camden Fire Department (CFD) is the oldest paid fire department in New Jersey and is among the oldest paid fire departments in the United States. In 1916, the CFD was the first in the United States that had an all-motorized fire apparatus fleet.[1][2][3] Layoffs have forced the city to rely on assistance from suburban fire departments in surrounding communities when firefighters from all 10 fire companies are unavailable due to calls.[4]
The Camden Fire Department currently operates out of five fire stations, organized into two battalions. Each battalion is commanded by a battalion chief, who in turn reports to a deputy chief. The CFD currently operates five engine companies, one squad (rescue-pumper), three ladder companies, and one rescue company, as well as several other special, support, and reserve units. The department's fireboat is docked on the Delaware River. Currently, the quarters of Squad 7, a rescue-pumper, located at 1115 Kaighn Avenue, has been closed for renovations. Squad 7 is currently operating out of the Broadway Station. Since 2010, the Camden Fire Department has suffered severe economic cutbacks, including company closures and staffing cuts.[5]
- ^ Fire Department, City of Camden. Accessed September 12, 2019.
- ^ Bureau of Emergency Services Citywide Tour Command Archived November 5, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, City of Camden. Accessed July 3, 2011.
- ^ Inception of the First Paid Fire Department in the U.S. Inception of the First Paid Fire Department in the U.S., Camdenhistory.com. Accessed April 27, 2024.
- ^ Simon, Darran. "Camden mayor voices concern to N.J. over fires", The Philadelphia Inquirer, June 13, 2011. Accessed July 13, 2011. "Redd said she wanted to 'dispel any misinformation' about the need for manpower from other towns to help Camden firefighters on Thursday and Saturday. Camden's Fire Department is down by 29 positions after layoffs by the cash-strapped city in January. Camden relies on assistance from suburban companies, most of them staffed by volunteers, when the city's ten companies are all deployed."
- ^ Katz, Matt; and Simin, Darran. "Camden's worst-case budget scenario calls for 350-plus layoffs", The Philadelphia Inquirer, October 8, 2010. Accessed July 3, 2011. "Camden will lay off more than 150 police officers, 77 firefighters, and about 150 other employees unless the mayor can wrest concessions in union contracts in the coming days, according to union officials and employees. The cuts, described as the worst-case scenario, would amount to more than a third of the city's unionized workforce."