Fire Department Restructure

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - February 26, 2025

Brigantine, NJ – The Brigantine Fire Department has proposed a restructuring plan to revise fire officer titles, aiming to modernize the department and align it with national standards. To present the details and address public questions, Fire Chief Paul Fuller will host a town hall style meeting on Saturday, March 8, at 10 AM at the Brigantine Community School.

Chief Fuller explained the need for this proposal, stating, “The current fire officer structure, established decades ago, no longer reflects the evolving role of the Brigantine Fire and EMS Department. As an all-hazards response agency in the post-9/11 era, modernization is necessary to clarify roles, strengthen the chain of command, and enhance operational efficiency.”

Under the proposed restructuring:

• The lieutenant rank would be changed to captain.
• The captain rank would become battalion chief.
• The administrative captain position would be reclassified as deputy chief.

Mayor Vince Sera emphasized the importance of a thorough review, stating, “While we understand the need to modernize the department, council has serious concerns about how this new rank structure will impact the taxpayers of Brigantine.”

According to Chief Fuller, “the proposed title changes won’t come with any salary increases. In fact, when comparing Brigantine’s fire department to others in the area, our lieutenants and captains are already earning about the same as captains and battalion chiefs in neighboring towns. Additionally, because of the current IAFF Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the city would actually see a small decrease in deputy chief salaries and fewer days off. The only cost involved would be minor uniform updates, but those are already covered in the department’s budget.”

Before taking any action, City Council has requested that Chief Fuller host a series of public meetings and make the proposal available for public review.

“This decision is more than just a simple council vote; the public needs to be part of the discussion,” Mayor Sera added. “Our community members deserve the opportunity to ask questions and fully understand how this restructuring benefits the CIty and enhances the services provided by our fire department.”