The Ridgefield Fire Prevention Bureau is primarily responsible for enforcing the New Jersey Uniform Fire Safety Act and the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code. As part of its duties, the Bureau must investigate the cause and origin of fires within the Borough of Ridgefield. The Bureau also conducts various Fire Prevention educational activities throughout the year.
The NJ Uniform Fire Act requires that all buildings, with the exception of 1 and 2 family owner occupied dwellings, be inspected at least once a year. Under the Fire Act, all structures and occupancies are classified as either “Life Hazard” or “Non-Life Hazard” according to a schedule in the Act which weighs various hazards and risks of the occupancy to determine whether a serious risk to life exists in the occupancy.
Those occupancies classified as Life Hazards must be registered with the State of New Jersey and may be subject to more frequent inspections by the Bureau.
It is important to note that fire inspections are not required to be scheduled in advance and in fact the NJ Uniform Fire Act specifically allows inspections to be made “at all reasonable times” and provides penalties and other remedies for refusal to permit an inspection.
The Fire Prevention Bureau also offers free Fire Safety Education presentations to various groups such as tenant organizations, civic organizations, building employees, health care providers and business groups. These presentations will teach the basics of fire safety or can be tailored to address a specific topic. If you would like the Bureau to make a presentation about fire safety, please contact the office during normal business hours. Please allow ample lead time to accommodate scheduling.
515 Church Street, Ridgefield, NJ 07657
Telephone: (201) 945-6008
Fax: (201) 945-0413
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
E-Mail
Fire Official: John Hoffman
Deputy Fire Official: Kevin McLaughlin
Fire Inspectors:
Michael Kees
Regina McLoughlin
Richard Motta
Kyla Bonaguaro
Fire Official Emeritus: Paul J. Elenio
