About SEFD
• Formation: Established on July 1, 2022, through the merger of the former South Orange and Maplewood fire departments
• Coverage Area: Responsible for approximately 7 sq mi, serving about 44,000 residents in Maplewood and South Orange
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Personnel & Leadership
• Staffing: The department employs around 70 full‑time firefighters
• Growth: In Sept 2022, SEFD welcomed nine new firefighter/EMTs
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Fire Stations
SEFD operates out of four key locations (three remain active as of now):
1. Headquarters – 56 Sloan Street, South Orange (former South Orange HQ)
2. Station 2 – 249 Boyden Avenue, Maplewood
3. Station 3 – 105 Dunnell Road, Maplewood
4. (Station 4, formerly at 31 Crest Drive, South Orange, closed in 2024)
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Services
• Fire protection across both municipalities.
• Emergency Medical Services (EMS): Crew members are trained NJ-certified EMTs, offering 24/7 emergency medical response and equipped with SAED, Naloxone, oxygen, and first‑aid kits
• Support: The South Orange Rescue Squad (volunteer) provides supplementary basic life support alongside SEFD
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Apparatus & Equipment
SEFD boasts a modern fleet, including:
• Ferrara, Pierce, Seagrave, and Spartan pumpers and ladder trucks
• Rescue ambulances and utility vehicles
• Chief’s vehicles and specialized units
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Merger Success & Governance
• Public endorsement: The merger was authorized by local governments in early 2022 and supported with a $250K LEAP grant from NJ to aid transition costs
• Operational efficiency: Since merging, calls are answered seamlessly with increased staffing—boosting safety and response capability .
• Management: Overseen by a three-member joint committee (appointed by both towns) and managed by CEO Adam Loehner. Meetings are typically monthly and open to the public
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Mission & Community Engagement
• Mission statement: To minimize loss of life and property through professional fire, medical, and emergency services, while continuing education and safety outreach
• Community presence: SEFD hosts public events—like station tours and fire safety demos—during Fire Prevention Week and good-will gatherings
Department management (politicians) do not put a priority on training and equipment or staffing.
Department still operates without a dedicated training officer which leads to no ability to move forward and progress. The Chief cares about his members and comes from a hands on background, but is relatively new to the management role in a career department having gone from Captain to Chief of Department.
It is an extremely slow moving merger. Staffing remains under adequate levels resulting in mandatory overtime against members wishes. That paired with a lack of an officer development program for mid to upper level management make for a lack luster morale and work environment.
Rating Breakdown
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1 Reviews on “South Essex Fire Department”
Department management (politicians) do not put a priority on training and equipment or staffing.
Department still operates without a dedicated training officer which leads to no ability to move forward and progress. The Chief cares about his members and comes from a hands on background, but is relatively new to the management role in a career department having gone from Captain to Chief of Department.
It is an extremely slow moving merger. Staffing remains under adequate levels resulting in mandatory overtime against members wishes. That paired with a lack of an officer development program for mid to upper level management make for a lack luster morale and work environment.