LN: What are the most frequently asked questions for this standard?

CP: The majority of questions focus on two issues. One is staffing. How many firefighters should there be on a piece of fire apparatus? That question is easy to answer: For an engine company or ladder company, a minimum of four firefighters. For special service vehicles, the standard states the apparatus must be staffed with the appropriate personnel to accomplish the tasks that the company will be expected to perform in a safe manner.

The second issue is response time. How quickly should the apparatus and firefighters get to the incident? NFPA 1710 says that the first company apparatus with appropriate staffing needs to arrive within a travel time of four minutes and that all companies assigned on the first alarm must arrive within an eight-minute travel time. The standard gives companies another minute for turnout time, which is the time to receive the alarm at the station, identify where they are going, get their protective clothing on, get on the apparatus, and start moving.

However, as I talk to reporters, I explain there is another minute in the whole equation, and that is the alarm handling or dispatch time. That time comes from NFPA 1221, Installation, Maintenance, and Use of Emergency Services Communications Systems. It says the dispatch center has to be able to process the call and notify the appropriate companies in one minute 95 percent of the time.

From the public\’s perspective, there is a potential of six minutes from the time they dial 911 until they have a fire truck in front of their house.

LN:  Why was the number of firefighters required for the minimum staffing for engine and truck companies set at four?

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Basile & Testa P.A. was founded in 1983 by Frank G. Basile, Joseph P. Testa, and Michael L. Testa. In 1995, Joseph Testa was appointed as a Cumberland County Superior Court Judge by then Governor Christine Todd Whitman and retired from the firm. Founding partner Frank Basile passed away unexpectedly in 2005.

\”I thought long and hard about making this change,\” said founding partner Michael L. Testa, \”But I now feel the time is right.\” \”The change reflects the outstanding contributions these newly named partners have made to the firm, and more importantly, the impressive legal efforts accomplished on behalf of our clients.\”

\”Frank Basile and Joseph Testa were the primary architects of the firm as we know it today,\” Testa continued. \”They always will be part of the fabric and history of Testa, Heck, Scrocca, & Testa, and any future successes that we enjoy will be due in large part to their role in helping to build our foundation and establish our values.\”

Testa, Heck, Scrocca, & Testa, P.A offers clients over 90 years of combined experience and an outstanding record of success in New Jersey Courts.

Specializing in the areas of Personal Injury, Criminal Law, Workers’ Compensation, Commercial Law and Litigation, and Wills and Estates, Testa, Heck, Scrocca, & Testa, P.A. provides clients with legal advice they can trust through a unique blend of knowledge, experience, and unquestioned integrity.