Newark Is Expanding Its Use Of Firefighters, Fire Stations

NEWARK, NJ — There’s a lot more to being a firefighter in Newark than just battling blazes.

On Thursday, Mayor Ras Baraka and Public Safety Director Brian O’Hara are expected to announce that the city is expanding the way it uses its local fire department.

According to a statement from city officials, Newark firefighters will be dispatched to all life-threatening calls for service that require first responder and emergency medical response. Firefighters will provide life support services such as cardiac monitoring and defibrillation, hemorrhage control, airway clearance and initial wound care.

It’s not a new concept in Newark, where the city’s fire houses also double as “Neighborhood First Aid Stations,” which give residents basic first aid for minor injuries such as cuts, bloody noses and splinters.

While the first aid stations have been available to the public for a while – and remain available – new signs have been posted at each firehouse in the city to remind residents that the service exists, officials said.

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