North Hudson Regional Fire & Rescue is now operating a new, state-of-the-art, double firehouse at 4300 Kennedy Blvd. in Union City. The firehouse will also house the Regional’s fire dispatch center (fire control), emergency operating center and its emergency and interoperability command center, which will enable NHRFR to link with surrounding emergency networks in the case of a major disaster or terrorist incident.

Representatives from the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety visited NHRFR headquarters in West New York to donate of hundreds of fire detectors for residents of Guttenberg, North Bergen, Union City, Weehawken and West New York. The smoke detectors have been distributed to residents, specifically focusing on senior citizens, lower-income residents and households with children.

After nearly 30 years of service, Frank Montagne has become the first North Bergen native to become chief of North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue (NHRFR). Frank was sworn in by North Bergen Mayor Nicholas J. Sacco as NHRFR’s fifth chief after receiving the highest possible civil service score. Chief Montagne then had the honor to swear in seven additional firefighters who were promoted to the rank of Captain.

Battalion Chief Robert Duane, Co-Director Mike DeOrio, Deputy Chief David Donnarumma, Board Secretary Martin Martinetti, Chief Frank Montagne, Weehawken Mayor and NHRFR Chairman Richard Turner, Co-Director Jeff Welz and Retired Captain Keith Gonyow, were on hand to launch NHRFR’s new 27-foot ‘Marine 2’ Fire Boat earlier this year.

A quick response, all-weather vessel with a top speed of more than 50 mph, ‘Marine 2’ has a 3-liter, 130-horsepower, Mercury inboard engine, coupled with a Darley fire pump that can put out 1,150 gallons of water per minute – in addition to the latest navigational equipment and a range of 250 nautical miles.