Passaic weighs firefighter ticketing powers after chief says blocked hydrants delayed response
A proposed ordinance would authorize up to 20 uniformed firefighters to issue parking tickets and arrange towing for certain violations. A final vote is scheduled for Thursday.
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Passaic officials are considering expanding firefighters’ parking enforcement powers after the city’s fire chief reported that parked vehicles blocked three hydrants during a fire, delaying emergency crews.
The City Council advanced the proposed ordinance on first reading Oct. 20, with a public hearing and final vote scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 5.
According to the ordinance, Fire Chief Patrick Trentacost told Mayor Hector Lora in a June 18 letter that all three hydrants near a second-alarm fire on Market Street had been blocked by parked vehicles, delaying firefighting operations.
Trentacost also reported that firefighters encounter numerous blocked hydrants throughout the city daily, according to the ordinance.
Under the proposal, Passaic could appoint up to 20 uniformed firefighters as parking enforcement officers, allowing them to issue tickets and arrange for towing for certain violations involving fire hydrants, fire lanes and fire department connections.
Lora said at the Oct. 20 City Council meeting that firefighters currently must call police officers to issue tickets when they encounter vehicles blocking hydrants.
"That will no longer be the case in the city," Lora said. "Our firefighters will be empowered to do so."
The firefighters’ authority would be limited to specified fire-related parking violations and would not extend to metered parking, time limits or permit restrictions.
The ordinance would prohibit parking within 10 feet of a fire hydrant, consistent with existing state law. Violations prosecuted under the proposed city ordinance would carry minimum fines upon conviction of $100 for a first offense, $250 for a second offense and $500 for subsequent offenses.
Firefighters appointed to the enforcement positions would have to meet qualification and training requirements.
The ordinance states that Lora approved the fire chief’s request to develop the measure in June. If adopted, it would take effect after final passage and publication as required by law.
The City Council is scheduled to consider the ordinance at 7 p.m. Thursday at 330 Passaic St.
