Bayonne, NJ, February 26, 2007 – The Bayonne Fire Department seized a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to conduct a training drill on the historic USS Intrepid, which is currently docked at The Peninsula at Bayonne Harbor.

The Bayonne Fire Department organized the two-hour drill on the World War II aircraft carrier on Tuesday, February 20. The Intrepid’s temporary home in Bayonne offered the Fire Department a unique chance to conduct safety drills on a ship actually docked in the city. Bayonne firefighters often travel as far as Norfolk, VA for shipboard firefighting training.

Capitalizing on the opportunity, the Bayonne Fire Department invited fire departments from across Hudson County to participate in the event. Approximately 60 line officers and fire personnel, and 14 chief officers took part in the drill coming from Bayonne, Jersey City, Hoboken, Harrison and Kearny fire departments. The North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue squad participated too. In addition, 22 pieces of equipment, fireboats from Jersey City and Hoboken, and Hoboken’s diving team were utilized during the drill.

“Ships from all over the globe dock in Bayonne, so we need to make sure that our fire department can handle the special situations ship fires present,” said Bayonne Mayor Joseph V. Doria Jr. “I applaud Bayonne Fire Chief Thomas Lynch for taking advantage of this rare opportunity to gather firefighters from across Hudson County to participate in this important training event,” he added.

The drill simulated a fire in the engine room, giving firefighters a chance to practice strategies and tactics for fighting a ship fire. With the Intrepid measuring in at 980 feet long, just locating a fire below the deck presents a challenge. Ships also carry massive amounts of fuel, so firefighters need to determine how much fuel the ship is carrying and how many people are on board, as well as the location of the fire before they can attempt to extinguish it.

“Ship fires can be very labor intensive and call for a lot of resources, so we will have to rely on mutual aid to get the job done,” Lynch said. “That’s why every fire department in Hudson County was invited to participate. Each fire department had a different piece of equipment that had to work together to make sure Hudson County would be covered during an emergency.” Lynch added.

Homeland Security equipment purchased for Hudson County, communication systems, foam tenders, air fill units and more were put to the test during the drill to ensure personnel were familiar with the equipment.

Chief Lynch authorized the drill, and Fire Director and Bayonne Office of Emergency Management Coordinator Patrick Boyle coordinated the event. Battalion Chief Paul Avery and Captain Robert Kleczynski developed the joint exercise where the fire departments were able to test their preparedness in responding to a large-scale ship fire. The event was coordinated with members of the USS Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum.

“Conducting this important drill on the historic Intrepid was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Nancy Kist, Executive Director, Bayonne Local Redevelopment Authority. “We are grateful to the management of the USS Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum for allowing us to use the ship for this purpose,” she added.

The Intrepid will undergo general repair and restoration work while dry docked in Bayonne. The exterior hull will be sandblasted to bare metal and repainted, requiring approximately 9,000 gallons of paint. Though the public is not allowed to board the Intrepid during her stay in Bayonne, they are welcome to view the ship from the Peninsula’s south shore greenway or from Harbor View Park at The Peninsula’s eastern tip.

About The Peninsula at Bayonne Harbor
Since the U.S. Army transferred complete ownership of the former military base in 2002, the BLRA has raised more than $50 million in government grants and interim lease payments to make infrastructure improvements needed to attract development. These improvements include new bulkheads along the south side and environmental remediation that was completed in 2005, ahead of schedule. Other projects include the installation of a new sewer system, a new electrical grid and new roads.

Redevelopment of The Peninsula is organized around the creation of six different, yet integrated districts. In 2004, Cape Liberty Cruise Port opened, marking the first tangible step in the transformation of the 430-acre site. It resulted in 51 cruise ship calls in its first season and created 300 jobs.

In 2006 the BLRA approved plans for development of another district, Harbor Station North, which will consist of mid-rise housing, retail space, and park space adjacent to the 45th Street light rail station. The approval of redeveloper agreements for portions of Bayonne Bay begins the transformation of the third district into a vibrant mixed-use waterfront community. Conditional agreements with other developers for portions of the Landing and Loft Districts signify progress in other districts as well. The Landing will have a water transit docking facility surrounded by a commercial and entertainment area and mid-rise housing, while the Loft District will be converted to hip, loft-style housing units adjacent to the ferry landing with spectacular views of New York.

For more information about The Peninsula at Bayonne Harbor or The Bayonne Local Redevelopment Authority, visit www.bayonnenj.org/blra.




 

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