Westfield Fire Department Fully Staffed for First Time in 17 Years

WESTFIELD, NJ — As of July 1, for the first time in 17 years the Westfield Fire Department is fully staffed, according to Fire Chief Michael Duelks.

“Today the first shift for three new firefighters, but the addition of these new personnel has allowed the expansion of the department to 40 members,” Duelks said in an announcement on Facebook Monday.

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For years, the Westfield Fire Department has worked with less than a full complement of staff, and at times staffing was so low that firefighters were forced to wait for mutual assistance to arrive from nearby towns before they could enter a burning structure.

Westfield is among the few towns in New Jersey with a professional firefighting staff, according to FEMA . Fewer than 9% of New Jersey towns employ a full professional staff, while more than 75% have all-volunteer forces.

Westfield's status as a town with a full professional department also means that its resources are used to assist other area towns that have only volunteer forces.

The Town of Westfield has budgeted over $4 million for firefighters' salaries in 2024.

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As previously reported, many years ago Westfield's fire department diminished in size as members died or retired and were not replaced due to budget constraints after the world's 2008 financial crisis. The department has been gradually built back up since its low point in 2012, and the department had 36 members when Chief Duelks was appointed in 2022.

“Over the past nine months, four additional firefighters were added to the overall operating rank and file,” Duelks said, which filled the remaining spots.

Recent hires included Westfield’s first female firefighter.

At a recent council conference session, Town Administrator Jim Gildea praised the town’s workforce and highlighted the efforts to develop and promote staff from within.

Chief Duelks himself began his firefighting career in Westfield as a volunteer and served more than 20 years in various capacities before rising to the rank of chief .

The advantages to having more firefighting staff are often nuanced by the safety rules that departments operate under.

“The increase in daily staffing has allowed all four tours back to nine members and allows three fire apparatus to be staffed at times. With three apparatuses in service this will help reduce emergency response times, save wear and tear on the larger apparatus,” Duelks said in his announcement.

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