This message is from Dennis McGuire, Jr.
I know it’s not in the Chicago area, but I thought this was pretty interesting.
Here's a recent article from NorthJersey.com about the Super Bowl XLVIII security and emergency response efforts in the Meadowlands region:
The Super Bowl XLVIII stands out for several reasons, especially in terms of public safety. With the unique geography of the Meadowlands, the event will involve coordination across multiple federal, state, county, and municipal agencies. It may even be the first time a Super Bowl relies mostly on a volunteer fire department. However, the area also depends on another less-known group: the Meadowlands Fire Department.
Most of the surrounding municipalities, including East Rutherford, use volunteer fire departments, which is unusual for an event typically held in major metropolitan areas with centralized paid services. However, the entire Meadowlands complex—home to MetLife Stadium, Izod Center, the racetrack, and the Quest Center—is protected by the Meadowlands Fire Department. Originally known as the New Jersey Sports Exhibition Authority Fire Department, it was established in 1975, just one year before the first venue opened. The state-funded department has 22 members and a station on Route 120 in East Rutherford, and it’s responsible for all events at the complex.
The department covers key roadways leading into the complex, such as parts of Route 120, Barry’s Creek Road, and Route 3 between the stadium and arena. It also includes the flyover bridge from Route 3 over the New Jersey Turnpike into the complex, according to Captain Kevin Meehan of the Meadowlands Fire Department.
The department is equipped with a variety of vehicles, including a 2009 quint aerial ladder, two mini-pumpers (a 2014 Ford F-450 and a 2004 F-550), and a smaller vehicle for quick response. Meehan described the smaller unit as “essentially a glorified golf cart†that carries 100 pounds of water and 10 gallons of foam, making it easy to access the stadium in case of an emergency.
In addition to the Meadowlands Fire Department, mutual aid agreements have been set up with neighboring towns. East Rutherford is leading the coordination of these efforts, along with the Meadowlands Fire Department. On game day, the East Rutherford Fire Department will be on standby, as will departments from Carlstadt and Wood-Ridge, which are located farther away but can respond quickly if needed.
Lyndhurst Assistant Fire Chief Paul Haggerty said his department will provide rescue services for any automotive or transit accidents on the highways during the event. “We’ll also be staffing our headquarters from noon to midnight because we expect a lot of visitors coming to our area,†he added. Two Lyndhurst fire units will be assigned to the Super Bowl operations, meaning the entire department will be activated due to increased activity around hotels and commercial buildings in the township.
Haggerty emphasized that resources from surrounding towns will be available if needed. “All we need to do is pick up the radio, and we’ll be on our way,†he said. “Strategic units will be staged in different fire stations under a joint plan we’ve been working on for almost a year now.â€
East Rutherford police officers and fire officials have attended the last two Super Bowls to observe how other cities manage their operations. Haggerty praised East Rutherford for its excellent planning and coordination among the various departments in the Meadowlands.
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