News

The New Jersey State Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association (NJFMBA) is taking the lead on a critical safety issue affecting firefighters nationwide - the potential link between newer firefighting hood designs and an increase in burn injuries.

During the March 2025 meeting, President Ed Donnelly provided an update on the organization's research partnership with North Carolina State University and Barnabas Health to investigate this concerning trend. The initiative began when FMBA EMS Chair Steve Spurr identified a potential problem with certain hood styles, prompting a survey distributed to FMBA members and other firefighting personnel.

"There is a concern with new style hoods could be contributing to increased burn injuries," Donnelly explained. The survey results revealed enough consistency in reports to warrant deeper scientific investigation.

Professional development remains a cornerstone of the New Jersey State Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association's commitment to its members. At the March 2025 meeting, Educational Committee Chair Danny Arroyo outlined an impressive lineup of training opportunities planned for the coming months, providing firefighters and EMTs across the state with access to specialized instruction in critical skills.

The February Educational Convention saw tremendous success, with over 800 members participating in various classes. Building on this momentum, the NJFMBA has scheduled several specialized training programs for 2025:

• Thermal Imaging and Fire Behavior Course: May 17, 2025, at Union County Fire Academy

• HazMat IC Class: July 15, 17, 22, 24, 29, 31, and August 5 & 7, 2025, at Union County Fire Academy (free of charge for FMBA members)

• ICS 400: Tentatively scheduled for August 23-24, 2025, at Perth Amboy Fire Department

• Drill Ground Instructor Course: Hosted by Bloomfield

• Live Burn Training: Fall 2025 at Union and Monmouth County Fire Academies

• NFA Safety Officer Class: Fall 2025, date to be determined

The demanding nature of firefighting and emergency response work takes a toll not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. Recognizing this reality, the New Jersey State Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association (NJFMBA) continues to strengthen its Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) program, providing essential mental health resources to first responders across the state.

At the March 2025 meeting, CISM coordinator Chris Whyte outlined an extensive calendar of training opportunities designed to build a robust peer support network throughout New Jersey. The cornerstone of these efforts is the GRIN (Group Crisis Intervention) training, with classes scheduled at multiple locations:

• March 31-April 2: Evesham

• May 6-8: Union County Fire Academy in Linden

• June 3-5: Bergen County Fire Academy in Mahwah