Fire Department

The primary goal of the Teaneck Fire Department is to prevent fires from occurring. When a fire does occur, the goal becomes the immediate protection of life and property by rapid fire confinement, control and extinguishment of the fire while rescuing any trapped occupant. The average response time for the Teaneck Fire Department is three minutes – from time of notification to arrival on scene – which is below the NFPA recommendation of four minutes. At the first sign of smoke and/or fire, and/ or alarm activations, the fire department shall be notified. Building occupants shall leave the structure immediately, and call the fire department from outside the structure. Many serious and/or fatal fire injuries could have been avoided by prompt notification to the Teaneck Fire Department. NEVER RE-ENTER A BURNING STRUCTURE.

The fire department responds to serious motor vehicle accidents on Routes 4, 80, 95 and on our local streets. The department responds to water / ice rescues on the Hackensack River, Over peck Creek and to flooding conditions in Teaneck and neighboring towns.  In cooperation with – and in support of – other Township emergency services, the fire department has increased – and will continue to increase – our response to medical emergencies. This is part of a conscious departmental effort to improve the residents' quality of life and to save lives. The cooperation between the Teaneck Fire Department, the Teaneck Police Department and the Teaneck Volunteer Ambulance Corps has been well established over years.

Under the direction of the Chief of Department and the Fire Official the FIU conducts investigations of all fires for origin and cause. In cases of arson, the FIU coordinates with the Teaneck Police Department, the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office, the Bergen County Arson Squad and other State and Federal agencies.

The Township has 315 fire alarm boxes strategically located throughout the Township.  Teaneck fire alarm boxes are used to report fires, pre fire smoke conditions and a variety of other incidents including medical emergencies, electrical accidents, steam leaks, etc.  The majority of boxes are dual use, relaying alarms from protected premises such as schools, places of public assembly, high rises, etc., as well as being available to bystanders to manually report fires and emergencies.  The fire alarm boxes will continue to operate during power failures and are completely independent of the telephone system and private alarm companies.