The New Jersey Deputy Fire Chief's Association is a proud sponsor of the October 15th granite panel on the NEW JERSEY VIETNAM VETERANS‘ MEMORIAL  which honors the two New Jersey solders killed in action during the Vietnam War on this date.

Click HERE for information and directions tothis service.

U.S. Fire Administrator Urges H1N1 Vaccinations for Fire and EMS Personnel

Washington D.C. - With the first deliveries of the H1N1 vaccine already underway, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), as part of its mission to support first responders, joins the United States Fire Administration (USFA) in recommending that firefighters who provide emergency medical services (EMS) and EMS workers receive the H1N1 vaccination as soon as it becomes available in their local jurisdiction.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has recommended that certain groups of the population receive the 2009 H1N1 vaccine when it first becomes available. These target groups include:

• pregnant women
• people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age
• healthcare and emergency medical services personnel
• persons between the ages of 6 months and 24 years old, and
• people ages 25 through 64 years who are at higher risk for 2009 H1N1 because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.

“Given that firefighters and EMS personnel who provide direct patient care are eligible for early vaccination, their first responder agencies should be contacting their local doctors’ offices, clinics, local health department or other agencies to make arrangements now for their workforces to be vaccinated as soon as supplies of the H1N1 vaccine are received in their jurisdictions,” said U.S. Fire Administrator Kelvin J. Cochran.

“Being vaccinated for both seasonal influenza and the H1N1 influenza represents an important way to assure the well being of our first responder workforces, their families, and most importantly the patients to whom they provide emergency medical care. It also enhances their agencies’ ability to continue to provide critical services to their communities during periods when they may encounter an increased demand for emergency medical care resulting from the H1N1 virus,” Cochran said.

First responders and agencies seeking additional information on the H1N1 influenza are encouraged to visit these Web sites:

•  www.flu.gov
•  www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu
• www.usfa.dhs.gov 
• www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance_ems.htm

Attention Retired Members

The association voted to allow retired active members to

pay reduced dues of $35 per year or a

$200 lifetime membership fee

Photos of Engine 4, Clifton Fire Department.

 Engine was struck on the highway while parked at an emergency scene.

“A GIFT FROM CAPTAIN BUSCIO”

My late husband Captain Dominick Buscio was a dedicated fire captain of the Jersey City Fire Department. Dom was a wonderful husband, father, brother and son to his family, and a true friend to all who knew him. At the age of 39, his life was unexpectedly taken when he suffered a heart attack during our ski vacation. Dom was the picture of health. In fact, the results of a complete physical he had only 10 months before his death were normal, except for the presence of moderately high cholesterol level. Since he was found to be healthy at that time, he decided not to return for his annual physical the following year. While many people his age made the decision not to seek regular checkups, in his case, it resulted in an inconceivable loss to all of us.

I am sharing our experience with others because I have found that my husband’s death was not a rarity. Heart attacks are the largest single killer of firefighters. For that very reason, I created the program “A Gift from Captain Buscio,” which began in Jersey City and now spans across the State of New Jersey to offer strictly confidential comprehensive medical evaluations with no out-of-pocket cost to all firefighters and officers.

My intention is not to instill anxiety. On the contrary, it’s to provide an opportunity for peace of mind. I’m quite certain that this program would have had Dom’s full support, given the current limited opportunities for firefighters to obtain physicals.

For me, this program, which was founded in Dom’s memory, is an attempt to keep your occupational risk limited to fighting fires.

Sincerely,
Donna Buscio

New Jersey State

Fire Commisssion Meetings

           Wednesday November 18^th

                           10 AM  

            Atlantic City Convention Ctr.

                       Atlantic City,  NJ