To: Neptune Township Board of Fire Commissioners

We, the undersigned active members of the Neptune Fire Department, respectfully petition the Board of Fire Commissioners to approve and implement the proposed modernization of the Department's command structure and company officer organization.

The Neptune Fire Department has reached a point where modernization is necessary to meet the operational demands of today's fire service. The recent Department of Community Affairs (DCA) report identified organizational concerns and areas requiring improvement. We believe the proposed changes represent an important step toward addressing those concerns and moving our department forward.

Proposed Department Reorganization

We support the following organizational changes:

 Command Structure

• Chief of Department (Volunteer)
• Assistant Chief (Volunteer)
• Deputy Chief (Volunteer)
• One Captain and One Lieutenant per company, for both career and volunteer.

The Need for Modernization

The fire service has changed significantly over the past several decades, yet much of our department's organizational structure continues to reflect practices established in the 1990s.

Today's emergency incidents require greater accountability, coordination, and attention to firefighter safety. Company officers are now expected to remain with their assigned apparatus and crews, supervising their personnel and carrying out operational assignments.

The expectation that company officers can simultaneously supervise their crews and assume overall incident command is no longer a practical or effective approach to managing emergency incidents.

The proposed three-Chief volunteer command structure would provide additional command coverage, improve incident coordination, and allow the third arriving Chief Officer to assume the critical responsibility of Incident Safety Officer.

These recommendations are not simply about adding positions or changing titles. They are about creating a safer, more effective, and more accountable fire department that reflects the realities of today's fire service.

The Voice of Active Firefighters

We believe that the firefighters who actively respond to emergencies, staff apparatus, participate in the Duty Engine Program, and provide fire protection to the taxpayers of Neptune Township deserve to have their voices heard when decisions are made regarding the future of their department.

These are the members who experience the challenges of our current organizational structure firsthand and will ultimately be responsible for carrying out the changes being considered.

The Board of Fire Commissioners has a responsibility to provide effective fire protection to the community. We believe that responsibility includes listening to the active firefighters who deliver that protection every day.

The modernization of the Neptune Fire Department should be guided by operational needs, firefighter safety, and the recommendations of those actively serving the community.

The future of this department should not be determined solely by individuals who are removed from its day-to-day emergency operations, without meaningful consideration of the firefighters and officers who carry out those operations.

Our Request to the Board of Fire Commissioners

By signing this petition, we express our support for the proposed department reorganization and respectfully request that the Board of Fire Commissioners:

1. Approve the proposed three-Chief volunteer command structure, consisting of a Chief of Department, Assistant Chief, and Deputy Chief.
2. Implement the proposed company officer restructuring, establishing one Captain and one Lieutenant per company and eliminating the Second Lieutenant position department-wide.
3. Recognize the operational and safety benefits of these proposed changes, particularly the need for dedicated incident command and safety responsibilities.
4. Give meaningful consideration to the recommendations and concerns of the active firefighters and officers who provide emergency services to Neptune Township.
5. Take meaningful action toward modernizing the Department and addressing the organizational concerns identified through the DCA review.

Our Position

We recognize that the Board of Fire Commissioners has the responsibility and authority to make decisions regarding the organization and operation of the Neptune Fire Department.

However, we believe the voices of the active firefighters who provide emergency protection to the taxpayers of Neptune Township must carry meaningful weight in those decisions.

We are not asking for change simply for the sake of change. We are asking for a command structure and officer organization that reflect the realities of today's fire service and prioritize the safety of our firefighters and the residents we serve.

We respectfully ask the Board of Fire Commissioners to listen to its active membership, support these recommendations, and take the necessary steps to move the Neptune Fire Department forward.

PETITION SIGNATURES

By signing below, I affirm that I am an active member of the Neptune Fire Department and support the proposed modernization and reorganization outlined in this petition.