In recent years, New Brunswick has utilized the Morris County Fire Academy to train its fire recruits. However, this academy serves as a training ground for fire departments throughout New Jersey, and therefore is not able to customize its curriculum to meet the specific needs of each community that utilizes it. With this, the New Brunswick Fire Department saw an opportunity for innovation.
Utilizing the department’s 250-plus years of history, experience, and education, they crafted a 600-hour training program that exceeds the NJ Division of Fire Safety and NJ Civil Service standards.
Beginning September 6, 2016, the recruits entered an intensive academy training program that met Monday through Friday for 13 weeks with some additional projects on weekends. Beginning each day at 6:30 a.m. sharp with rigorous physical training in a partnership with the Robert Wood Johnson Fitness and Wellness Center, the recruits followed the Police Training Commission’s Physical Training Program.
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