FAQs

Countywide Fireground Rehab and Canteen, Box 54 Club, Fireground, Fire Ground, Rehabilitation, Fire Canteen, Teaneck, NJ Fire Dept. Jersey City Gong Club, Bell and Siren Club, NJ, New Jersey, Passaic County, Fire Service Support Unit, Special Services, Clifton, Fire, Passaic, Paterson, Wayne, West Paterson, Ringwood, Little Falls, Totowa, County Wide, Canteen, Bayonne, Mutual Aid,

The following represents a condensed list of the most commonly asked questions about our group, services and membership. These questions and answers are listed in the order of most common first and will be added to as new questions are presented. Just click on the question and it will bring you to the associated answer. If you have a question that dose not appear on this page please feel free to e-mail us at rehab@firecanteen.org

Does Countywide charge a fee for its services?

How do I contact Countywide in the event of an emergency or if we require mutual aid?

Why is fireground rehab needed, and how dose Countywide fit in?

Is Countywide a government entity?

Is Countywide a Fire Buff Organization?

Are Countywide personnel paid a salary?

Dose Countywide provide canteen services for funeral, memorial, civic or non-profit events?

How can I become a member?

What Geographic Area Does Countywide Serve?

Do I need to have any special training to join?

(Does Countywide charge a fee for its services?)

Countywide is a non-profit organization and does not charge a fee for its services, however we do accept donations in order to cover supplies, expenses, training, insurance and equipment maintenance associated with providing rehab and canteen services to the agencies we serve. In the event that we respond to a Haz-Mat incident we do however bill the responsible parties insurance carrier for supplies and materials used.

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(How do I contact Countywide in the event of an emergency or if we require mutual aid?)

Our Dispatch telephone number is 973-859-1452 this number is manned 24 hours a day 7 days a week and is answered for us by the trained men and women at the MICCOM Communications center.

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(Why is Fireground Rehab needed, and how dose Countywide fit in ?)

The physical and mental demands associated with firefighting and other emergency operations, coupled with the environmental dangers of extreme heat and humidity or extreme cold, create conditions that can have an adverse impact upon the safety and health of the individual emergency responder. Members who are not provided adequate rest and re-hydration during emergency operations or training exercises are at increased risk for illness or injury, and may jeopardize the safety of others on the incident scene.

This is were Countywide fits in by providing emergency responders in Passaic County and surrounding areas with a readily available Rehab and Canteen unit specifically equipped and trained to establish a rehab sector at any scene in a timely fashion.

By having a consolidated rehab team response we are able to set up a rehab staging area for emergency responders and coordinate with EMT's* from the local BLS² and Medics from Regional ALS³ providers to offer effective rehabilitation and re-hydration services regardless of weather or situation.

The primary objective of Countywide personnel is to replenish lost body fluids and nourishment, provide shelter and ambient comfort in order to make the rehab sector more effective. In situations where local BLS and or ALS is not available or they are committed to other on-scene activities we can respond with a state certified EMT on-board to provide medical evaluations of personnel rotated through the rehab sector.

We strictly adhere to guidelines set forth by FEMA, IAFF, & IFSTA. With all members trained in Emergency Incident Rehabilitation and Basic First Aid.

(excepts copied from FEMA publication FA-114/July 1992 United States Fire Administration)

*EMT = Emergency Medical Technician     ²BLS = Basic Life Support     ³ALS = Advanced Life Support

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(Is Countywide a government entity?)

Countywide is not a government entity, we are a non-profit all volunteer emergency services group offering our services exclusively to government agencies and disaster response organizations. We are however solely at the disposal of the Incident Commanders of the agencies we serve once we are committed to a scene.

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(Is Countywide a Fire Buff Organization?)

Countywide is not a Buff group and we take our place in the fire service seriously. Our members do not wander around Fire scenes nor do we make it a habit to photograph or film on going fire or law enforcement operations. We do respect the hobby of Fire Buffing and do not wish to detract from it in any way however, that is not what Countywide is about.

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(Are Countywide personnel paid a salary?)

We are an all Volunteer group providing a professional service much like the other four area rehab / canteen services in surrounding counties. Our members do not draw salaries, and are only reimbursed for group related expenditures.

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(Dose Countywide provide canteen services for funeral, memorial, civic or non-profit events?)

As stated previously our services are solely available to government agencies and disaster response organizations. we do provide canteen services for Funerals, Memorial Services, and other government sponsored events where our canteen and rehab services will be of benefit to the event participants. This service is scheduled by calling our operations group at (973) 859-1450 ext. 1588. If you are calling for a funeral detail please call our emergency contact number (973) 859-1452.

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(How can I become a member?)

Applying for membership is quite simple, You must download fill out and submit a membership application (located here) in person at our next monthly meeting or you can mail it to Countywide Fireground Rehab, 22 Somerset Place, Clifton, NJ 07012. Once we receive and review the application the membership votes on the applicants request, if successful the applicant must pay the annual membership dues and commence the ninety day probation period.

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(What Geographic Area Does Countywide Serve?)

Countywide serves all of Passaic County, NJ and surrounding municipalities. We will respond to requests for our services to municipalities in Bergen, Essex and parts of Hudson Counties should the need for mutual aid arise.

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(Do I need to have any special training to join?)

Yes and no although special skills or training are always a plus with a dynamic group such as ours, it is not a requirement for joining. However as a requirement for membership you must complete certain levels of training as prescribed by our bylaws. The basic training required once your application is approved and before your 90-day probationary period is over are Basic Red Cross First Aid, Intro to the American Red Cross Disaster Services, Damage Assessment, and an in house course of Basic Fireground Rehab Procedures. You may always opt to train in other offerings by the American Red Cross, CERT, or FEMA. All basic training and most extra training is free of charge and scheduled through our Safety and Training Liaison Officer.

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This Page was last edited on 12/30/2008 01:05:06 -0500