October 8, 2025 — Full Dumont Volunteer Fire Department reported that, as of today, Dumont and Bergenfield Fire Departments have formally entered into an Automatic Mutual Aid Agreement designed to improve emergency response efficiency in both municipalities. The agreement ensures that during reported fires or smoke conditions inside a structure, dispatchers will automatically request an additional engine or ladder from the neighboring community, bringing extra resources to the scene more quickly.

According to the department, the benefit of the new system became evident within hours of going into effect, when companies from both towns responded seamlessly to the David Roche Apartments at 2 Aladdin Avenue in Dumont for a smoke condition on the second floor caused by a microwave fire. The coordinated response confirmed the effectiveness of the updated procedure.

The Dumont Volunteer Fire Department emphasized that the agreement is not a reflection of staffing or capability challenges.

Both municipalities continue to maintain strong volunteer participation, with dozens of committed members responding to emergencies daily—an advantage not all communities share. Instead, the agreement is intended to further enhance safety, preparedness, and operational efficiency when structure-related emergencies are reported.

The department expressed appreciation for the continued dedication of volunteers in both communities and noted that the partnership strengthens public protection across the region.