NJ Forest Fire Service: Deployments out of NJ (October 20th)

 I wrote in early August that the New Jersey Forest Fire Service (NJFFS)  had a crew that was deployed to New Mexica to help work wildfires there, and in early July the NJFFS sent some engines to California to assist in their wildfire season. When I began this blog about 15 years ago, I did not fully appreciate the assistance that goes in both structure fire fighting and wildland firefighting, especially wildland fire fighting. The mutual aid that local fire companies provide to state or federal wildland fire fighting agencies for structure protection is invaluable. While some structures can not be saved, some can be saved. Just this fire season, I know for a fact that local fire companies provided an invaluable service to the NJFFS during a very busy fire season. Many residences and businesses in New Jersey were saved. Just as local fire companies provide assistance to wildland fire crews, out of state crews offer invaluable resources to States where local wildfire crews and equipment may be stretched thin, the support of crews and engines from of State is important.

When the call comes to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service to send crews and/or engines out of state, they respond. When New Jersey Forest Fire Service engines and crews are deployed out of state, they do not leave New Jersey hard up for wildland fire crews and engines. Likewise, if New Jersey were to put the call out for support of other state wildland firefighting agencies, they would respond. Having said that, I am not aware that such a call by the NJFFS for help from other state wildland firefighting agencies.

I am honored and proud of all NJFFS engines and crews who are deployed out of state. At the time I write this, I am aware that according to a October 20th Resource Summary from the National Interagency Fire Center (this links updates frequently during the season so what you see may be different) that the NJFFS does have engines (with crew) deployed out of state. Specifically, I see three engines (type 6?) plus crew deployed to Alabama.