Last week, Stevens released a statement explaining that the university will be making rooms in Jonas Hall available to health care professionals from Hoboken University Medical Center (HUMC) and the Hoboken Fire Department (HFD). This decision came in response to requests from the Hoboken Office of Emergency Management and both groups of first responders began occupying the dormitory that week.
HFD has been using the space in Jonas Hall to practice social distancing while on shift, while HUMC is contracting with medical personnel in other areas as the anticipate for the surge of COVID-19 cases in the Hoboken area.
When asked about the conditions of HFD’s current facilities that initiated the expansion of space and resources, Brian Crimmins, Fire Chief of the Hoboken Fire Department, ensured that “nothing is wrong with the fire houses in Hoboken.”
The typical fire house usually houses two fire companies — an engine and ladder company. Both of these companies have 3 or 4 people in each, all of which usually stay in one fire house in Hoboken during their shifts. Crimmins explains, “we live in close quarters; traditionally, we eat at the same dinner table, occupy the same living space, and respond to emergencies throughout the day in the same fire engine.”
This is not the case anymore with the COVID-19 pandemic. “We need to take every possible precaution for ourselves and for the community,” Crimmins claims, “In terms of living quarters, there was a tremendous need to separate all the companies in each fire house…we took Washington Street and split it. Ladder company one is there; however, Engine company one is occupying Jonas Hall.”
The Observer High Firehouse also experienced the same split – Ladder company two currently resides there, while Engine company two also occupies Jonas Hall.
The Hoboken Fire Department only occupies one floor in Jonas Hall currently. “They have divided the floor up into two wings,” Crimmins explains, “One wing holds engine one from Washington Street Firehouse, while wing two holds only the engine company from the Observer Highway Firehouse.”
Crimmins assures that both engine companies are not permitted to mix. The use of dormitory rooms has let the firefighters practice social distancing much more easily than they were able to at the fire houses.
As for firefighters sitting at the table together, that is not happening right now. “We are aggressively protecting ourselves and the community,” Crimmins promises. “We are separating to the maximum extent possible… the only thing we can’t change is the distance between seats in the fire truck.”
Though firefighters have to share the same vehicle to respond to emergencies, they are following all the CDC and Hoboken Health recommendations. “Firefighters are wearing masks, eye protection, gloves, and sanitizing their hands…we are doing everything we can, but it was just hard to do that in the firehouse where everyone was occupying at the same time.”
Crimmins was unsure how long their residence in Jonas will be. Though there is a current agreement between the City of Hoboken and Stevens, it is still unknown what is going to happen. The fire department is not close to loosening these restrictions just yet.
The fire department has been “absolutely impressed and overwhelmed” by the generosity received from the university, the Stevens Police Department, the community of Hoboken, and the City of Hoboken. “We love our friends, our neighbours, and we love our counterparts …our relationship [with the Stevens Police Department] is stronger than ever before.” Crimmins exclaims.
As of now, Stevens has notified its community of ten new COVID-19 cases, four staff members and six students, and two presumed cases from students with family members that have tested positive. No individuals with confirmed cases have been on campus in the past fourteen days; however, the required health protocols have been taken.
The Stute is still awaiting information on how HUMC will specifically be utilizing Jonas Hall. This article will be updated if more information is provided.
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