If you strip away all the layers that have been added to the role of a firefighter over the decades, they have one basic, primary job: putting our fires.
And to do that from inside a burning structure, a mainstay of urban fire departments, they need, among other items, an air bottle. It’s the cylindrical item they wear on their backs.
The Trenton Fire Department has only five spare bottles on their air and lights truck, Special Services 1, or SS1.
Years ago, they had anywhere from 40 to 60 extra bottles, many on the SS1 truck, or in what’s called the “air room” at fire headquarters on Perry Street.
Andres Perez, president of the rank-and-file firefighters union, said it’s just another concern among firefighters in the cash-strapped department. He does not even blame the current administration or director, but the past ones, who did not plan to keep air bottles stocked. They have about a 15-year life cycle, he said.
“It affects our overall readiness,” Perez said. “You can’t compete your mission if you don’t have your equipment, and your back-up equipment.”
“They’ve had 15 years to plan for this,” Perez said.
The department does not have just five bottles.
Each firefighter has an air bottle on their engine or ladder vehicle, but during a significant fire, the SS1 truck responds and firefighters drop their primary bottle and pick up a new one, sometimes several times depending on how big the fire is, firefighters say.
The city says they’ve heard the firefighters’ concerns, and they’re on it.
“When the issue was brought to leadership’s attention, TFD immediately ordered around 2 dozen additional bottles to supplement our existing inventory," city spokesman Connor Ilchert said. The department is also awaiting word about a federal grant application, which would also help the issue.
“Everything within TFD’s power is being done to make sure that our firemen are amply equipped to perform their service to the people of Trenton,” Ilchert said.
Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @kevintshea. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.com’s newsletters.