OCNJ Fire and Rescue Always at the Ready

Ocean City Fire and Rescue touts top ISO rating thanks to hard work from members, support of community

By Kevin Callahan.

BERNIE WALKER is certainly proud of the Ocean City Fire and Rescue Services for achieving the Insurance Services Office (ISO) highest status of Class 1, an enviable rating attained by only one and a half percent of departments nationwide.
The newly-named fire chief, however, stresses the effort and leadership needed and attained to reach this elite classification, which can benefit homeowners on the island.
“The men and women of the department, who respond to the emergency calls for service day-in and day-out, are the backbone of the department,” Bernie said. “They do an excellent job, are well trained and are extremely professional.”
Walker, who replaced Chief Jim Smith in late June, also stressed, “I absolutely believe that being named the fire chief is a privilege and I intend to treat it as such for the rest of my career.”

An Impressive Achievement

Ocean City and only two other New Jersey fire departments of the nearly 40,000 fire departments evaluated nationally are currently rated as an ISO Class 1, a public protection classification system used to evaluate fire protection in communities.
Staffing, training, communications, available apparatus and water supply are some of the many aspects analyzed and are graded utilizing a number scoring system.
For each, starting from the lowest classification of ten to the highest classification of one, an overall classification is assigned.
When factoring insurance rates for private and commercial properties, insurance agencies utilize the ISO classification.
Bernie feels “additional staffing, increased training coupled with improved documentation, as well as upgraded communication capabilities” assisted with obtaining the top ISO classification earlier this year.
“The ISO class 1 classification is a testament to the dedication and professionalism of the men and women of the department as well as the continued support provided to the department by the city of Ocean City,” Bernie said.

A Storied History

Dating back to 1890, the Ocean City Fire Department boasts a storied history. Volunteer fire companies on the island originally provided fire protection. There were three volunteer fire companies from 1890 through 1929: The Ocean City Volunteer Fire Company No. 1; The Reliance Fire Company No. 2; and Liberty Fire Company No. 3.
An expansive fire spread in 1927, resulting in damage to a significant portion of the city. A singular staffed fire department was formed in 1930 to improve fire protection services. The department has maintained a fully staffed career fire department since.
And for almost 100 years, the core mission of protecting property, as well as the citizens and visitors to Ocean City, has remained the same. Although as Bernie noted, “response and operational capabilities have significantly evolved over the years.”
“Training is an integral part of being a professional and prepared fire department,” he said. “Initial qualifying training levels, as well as fire service-related certifications, are set and governed by the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety.
“All fire department members in Ocean City are also New Jersey certified Emergency Medical Technicians. There are initial and recertification training standards set forth by the New Jersey Office of Emergency Medical Services for all EMTs.”
Bernie further explained that the department members conduct training on a daily basis, including exercises in fire suppression, rescue and emergency medical services. There is also required department level training multiple times in live fire evolutions at a local fire academy.
An online platform to track and record training sessions for all members is employed by the Ocean City department.

All About the Community

Bernie said being involved and interacting with the community is a core function of the fire department.
“Having a fire department presence at most events in Ocean City increases department opportunities for education, fire prevention and community risk reduction,” he said.
“Each year the department hosts a very popular open house in October during fire prevention week. The community can meet the department members, see the equipment and apparatus and observe operational demonstrations such as a live fire extinguishment and vehicle extrication during the open house.

Junior Fire Fighter Camp

“Additionally, the department hosts annually a junior firefighter camp for children between the ages of nine and 12,” Walker added. “The campers learn many skills including fire suppression, rope rescue, CPR, splinting and bandaging, search and rescue and forcible entry skills.
“The camp is arguably the most popular camp that Ocean City offers.”
Bernie is a 1995 Ocean City High School graduate and a 1999 Rutgers University graduate. Before joining the department in 2005, he was a Senior Probation Officer for the State of New Jersey out of the Cape May County Superior Court.
“I was promoted to captain in 2015 and deputy chief in 2020,” he said. “I’m also one of two deputy emergency management coordinators for Ocean City as well as a deputy fire coordinator for Cape May County.”
Bernie is also “a proud father of two amazing children, Lea (16) and Joseph (13), and I’m supported always by my wonderful wife Rachel.”
The Ocean City department consists of a total of 67 members broken down into three 21-member platoons (A, B and C), and four command level administrative personnel (Chief, Deputy Chief of Operations, Deputy Chief of Administration, and Chief EMT). Three engine companies, two ambulances, one truck company and one battalion chief are staffed on a daily basis and housed between three stations strategically spaced throughout the island. The department on average handles approximately 4,500 calls for service annually.
“Former Chief Smith, with the assistance of a number of excellent department members, helped advance and grow the department over the past seven and a half years,” Bernie said. “I plan to continue the positive growth of the department that expanded training and operational capabilities under his leadership.”