Administration

About Fire Administration

The Fire Administration Division serves as the management arm of the department and assures that the delivery of emergency services to the community is done through effective strategic planning. The roles and responsibilities of the division have expanded due to new regulations from the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety, Public Employees Occupational Safety and Health Administration (PEOSH), New Jersey Department of Health and various other federal and state agencies. Fire Administration also serves as the liaison between the department and the Township Administration. The WOFD administrative staff is a vital link in the department chain, charged with delivering high quality emergency services to the community in the safest, most cost-effective manner as possible.

Personnel Responsibilities

Personnel matters are a daily responsibility of Fire Administration. These include, but are not limited to, injuries, workplace safety, medical/personal leaves, accountability, staffing requirements, and interagency cooperation. Specific issues involving communications, resident inquiries/feedback, special programs, and schedules are coordinated through this division to maintain internal and external quality control. The assignment of personnel to positions designated in the organizational structure and the supervision and evaluation of personnel performance are also coordinated by Fire Administration.

Equipment Maintenance Responsibilities

Fire apparatus/fleet service and repair, fire equipment repairs and maintenance, and accurate equipment inventories are a very important aspect of the division.

Statistics Responsibilities

Fire incident statistics are recorded and updated daily on a modern, computerized network to maintain immediate and accurate incident records by way of the National Fire Incident Reporting System. These statistics are vital because they provide the fire service with nationwide data to track fire-related trends and, in turn, address those trends through improvements in equipment, engineering and education. Electronic patient charting on all EMS incidents is also maintained for both efficiency in the field and statistical reporting to the State of New Jersey Department of Health.

Finance Responsibilities

Specifications, cost estimates, and the purchase of supplies, apparatus and essential equipment for firefighting personnel are coordinated by the fire chief for budgeting purposes. The financial health and stability of the agency is a reflection of fire administration. Both annual operational budgets and long-term capital budgets are designed and presented to maintain the efficiency of the department while satisfying the community mandate to keep expenses in check.

EMS Billing

In an effort to control costs to the West Orange taxpayer, WOFD has been billing patients' insurance companies for EMS transports. The reimbursement from these companies helps to offset the costs associated with this type of service while keeping the taxpayer's health and safety the number one priority. While medical billing is coordinated though Fire Administration, the actual collection of funds is facilitated through a third-party contracted vendor.